The crisis in Gaza
“The Minister of Education told us that the exam results at the schools are falling since the most recent Israeli offensive. Even worse, we were told by psychiatrists that children now routinely ask when they will die… The future of the region depends on the next generation of Palestinians, yet they are being severely damaged as each day passes under siege…” Gerald Kaufman, British MP During Israel’s war on Gaza in 2009, the population of Gaza suffered relentless aerial and ground attacks. During this offensive: - Over 1,400 Palestinians were killed, 400 of them children The situation has been deteriorating since the Israeli blockade on Gaza began in 2007: - Construction materials are banned from entering the Gaza strip, making it nearly impossible to rebuild any homes, hospitals, or schools. Even prior to the Israeli military offensive, the education system in Gaza was already severely weakened by the blockade, impacting the quality of education provided to students. Blockade restrictions have prevented the rehabilitation of old educational infrastructure and much-needed construction of new schools to keep up with increases in student population. During the 2009 military offensive the situation became even worse. 18 schools were destroyed and at least 280 damaged.
- Hospitals, UN schools and shelters were targeted
- 21,000 homes were destroyed, leaving over 90,000 people homeless
- Hospitals are suffering from a severe shortage of medical supplies. In February 2010, it was reported that 104 essential drugs – including treatments for cancer, heart conditions, and psychiatric disorders – had run out due to the Israeli blockade on Gaza.
- The blockade on educational materials and the lack of school space amidst a growing population has resulted in a deterioration in the standard of education in Gaza schools.
