Islamic University of Gaza Reopens Classes On-Site After Damage from Conflict

In a remarkable display of resilience, students at the Islamic University of Gaza have returned to in-person classes for the first time in two years. Their reemergence occurs amidst the backdrop of significant hardship, as the university campus has become a refuge for displaced families, illustrating the paradox of pursuing education while bearing the weight of profound humanitarian crises. This situation underscores the importance of educational continuity, especially in conflict zones where the youth embody the hopes of their communities for a brighter future.

Students at the Islamic University of Gaza have resumed in-person classes for the first time in two years, navigating a campus transformed into a sanctuary for those affected by the ongoing humanitarian challenges in the Palestinian enclave. Following the ceasefire in October, this university now provides shelter for approximately 500 displaced families, a vivid reminder of the resilience required to pursue education amid adversity. While the campus resembles a site of mass displacement, with tents dotting the grounds where lecture halls once stood, students are determined to forge a path toward their academic futures.

Atta Siam, a student seeking refuge on campus, expressed the sentiment shared by many who have sought shelter within its walls. “We came here after being displaced from Jabalia because we had nowhere else to go,” he noted, emphasizing that the university, meant for learning, has become a temporary home. The partial resumption of classes has rekindled the hopes of thousands, despite conditions that starkly contrast with the ideal of a fully functioning educational institution.

According to UNESCO, over 95 percent of higher education campuses across Gaza have sustained severe damage or destruction since the onset of the recent conflict. First-year medical student Youmna Albaba, who had envisioned attending a well-equipped university, acknowledged that reality has fallen short of her expectations. “I need a place where I can focus, that is fully qualified in every way,” she said, but she remains hopeful, recognizing the effort to rebuild from scratch despite the overwhelming circumstances.

The phenomenon described by human rights groups as “scholasticide” — the systematic erosion of an education system — has left more than 750,000 Palestinian students without schooling for two consecutive academic years. Al Mezan Center for Human Rights reports that recent figures highlight a disheartening reality: 494 schools and universities in Gaza have been partially or completely destroyed, and 137 of those structures have been reduced to rubble, with significant casualties among students and educators.

The Islamic University has been particularly affected, following the demolition of Isra University, once Gaza’s last remaining functioning university, earlier this year by Israeli forces. Faculty members at the Islamic University are tasked with improvising amid scarce resources, enduring power outages and equipment shortages while striving to maintain academic integrity. Dr. Adel Awadallah shared the collective efforts to adapt, covering exposed walls with plastic sheeting to accommodate as many students as possible. “We’ve borrowed motors to generate electricity to operate the university equipment,” he explained, emphasizing the community’s commitment to education.

With only four classrooms operational, the need for innovative and flexible teaching methods is paramount. UN experts have voiced concerns over the systematic destruction of educational infrastructure, warning that such actions may deliberately undermine the foundations of Palestinian society. “When schools are destroyed, so too are hopes and dreams,” they stated, reflecting the tragic implications for future generations.

In addition to physical destruction, families face the continuous struggle for basic necessities such as food, water, and medical care, complicating their ability to support their children’s education. Remote learning initiatives launched by the Ministry of Education and UNRWA have faced setbacks from power outages and internet disruptions, compounding the challenges against educational continuity.

Yet, students remain steadfast. Despite enduring trauma from years of conflict and the loss of loved ones, they consistently prioritize returning to school as a means to reclaim their normalcy and future aspirations. As Youmna Albaba poignantly reflected, “Despite all this, I am happy because I attend lectures in person. We are building everything from scratch,” a testament to the enduring spirit of Gaza’s youth amidst adversity.

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