The Ministry of Education in Gaza has released a comprehensive report detailing the severe consequences of the ongoing conflict on the region's educational sector.

According to the ministry, over 15,000 school-aged children have been reported killed or missing since the escalation of hostilities. Additionally, more than 800 education workers have either lost their lives or are unaccounted for.

The report highlights that approximately 95% of Gaza's schools and educational facilities have suffered direct damage from the conflict. Of these, 85% are now either completely destroyed or partially out of service, severely disrupting the education of countless students.

Financially, the education sector in Gaza has incurred losses exceeding $3 billion due to the extensive damage inflicted by ongoing military actions.

In a related development, Zaher al-Wahidi, a spokesperson for Gaza's Health Ministry, reported that since October 2023, more than 38,000 Palestinian children have been orphaned as a result of the conflict. This includes approximately 32,151 children who have lost their fathers, 4,417 who have lost their mothers, and 1,918 who have lost both parents. Furthermore, at least 13,901 women have been widowed during this period.

Al-Wahidi emphasized the profound psychological and social impact of these losses, stating, "These figures reflect the extent of the pain that the people of Gaza have suffered, which requires everyone to work urgently to alleviate the suffering of orphans and affected families and rebuild their lives."

The ongoing conflict has also led to widespread displacement, with nearly all of Gaza's 2.3 million inhabitants forced to flee their homes, many now residing in temporary shelters under dire conditions.

The international community continues to express deep concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling for immediate measures to protect civilians and critical infrastructure, including educational institutions. (ILKHA)