DaysofPal – After two years of forced interruption caused by Israel’s devastating war that obliterated much of Gaza’s educational infrastructure, the Islamic University of Gaza has begun its first steps toward a gradual return to in-person learning. Students are attending classes inside buildings damaged by airstrikes, parts of which remain in ruins.
Between partially restored walls and halls still bearing marks of destruction, hundreds of students returned to their classrooms, an image that reflects the determination of Palestinians in Gaza to reclaim life and education despite the deep scars of war.
On Saturday, the Islamic University resumed its first day of face-to-face instruction after the war suspended all teaching for two years, during which only limited attempts at remote learning were possible amid displacement, electricity cuts, and the destruction of university facilities.
The war caused 165 schools, universities, and other educational institutions to be completely destroyed. In contrast, 392 other facilities suffered partial damage, essentially paralyzing the Strip’s education sector, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office.
Several university buildings are also currently sheltering hundreds of displaced families whose homes were destroyed during the assault and who have no alternative refuge. This has prompted the university administration to urgently appeal to the relevant authorities for immediate solutions and alternative housing.
Estimates from the media office indicate that the Gaza Strip now requires around 300,000 tents and prefabricated housing units to meet the population’s basic shelter needs following two years of widespread destruction.
A Historic Day
Describing the first day of the gradual return to in-person learning, Islamic University President Asaad Youssef Asaad said, “Today is a historic day. We return to education despite the tragedy and the cruelty left behind by the war.”
He added that Palestinians are known for their love of life and learning, noting that large numbers of students from the Faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences had returned to their classrooms.
Asaad explained that the university has a phased plan for full restoration of on-campus learning in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
He confirmed that the institution, like all universities in Gaza, suffered extensive destruction, including the demolition of several main buildings. This forced the adoption of online learning during the conflict, despite the challenges of displacement, power outages, and unstable communications.
The university president noted that around 4,000 students graduated during the war through remote-learning systems and that the institution is now receiving new students in person for the first time since October 2023.
Strong Passion for Education
In the Faculty of Medicine, student Malak al-Moqayed expressed her feelings about returning to campus: “I enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine, and today we return to in-person classes for the first time since the war.”
She added, “The university suffered major damage, but it managed to rehabilitate the building despite the overcrowding.”
Al-Moqayed said she felt happy and proud to reach this point, stressing that medical studies are practical in nature and require physical attendance:
“Despite everything that happened, the university regained its strength and welcomed students again. There is a great passion for learning.”
Student Sama Rady also expressed her joy at being able to join the university after the genocidal war and return to in-person education: “This is the first day of in-person lectures,” she said.
“Despite the destruction and bombardment, we attend our classes. I am proud of my country and my university, which managed to rise from the devastation and return stronger than before.”
On October 10, the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye with U.S. supervision and based on a plan by President Donald Trump, entered into effect.
This agreement halted Israel’s large-scale assault on Gaza, which began on October 8, 2023, and resulted in over 70,000 deaths and more than 170,000 injuries, the vast majority women and children.
The United Nations has estimated that rebuilding the devastated enclave will require around $70 billion in reconstruction costs.
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