Universities in the Gaza Strip are gradually reopening after two years of consecutive war that devastated much of the region’s infrastructure, offering a renewed path to education amid widespread destruction, reports Baltimore Chronicle.
Before October 7, 2023, Gaza had 17 higher-education institutions with hundreds of buildings, most of which are now in ruins, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education. More than 100 university buildings were destroyed, and approximately 200 university staff members lost their lives. The scale of the destruction raised concerns about whether higher education could resume at all. Yet, Al-Azhar University in Gaza has begun limited in-person classes, with administrators and students determined not to let the conflict erase an entire generation’s future.
During a visit to Al-Azhar’s temporary campus, ABC News observed damaged classrooms and improvised facilities that reflect both the crisis and the resilience of students returning to continue their studies. University Vice President Dr. Muhammad Shubeir said the decision to reopen was driven by necessity and a sense of duty.
“During the difficult period of the war, we resumed teaching online,” Shubeir told ABC News. He explained that staff worked from dangerous areas to secure satellite internet connections. “We faced many risks, but we were able to continue until the war ended.”
Despite the destruction of its new campus in the Al Zahra area, which housed five colleges and was turned into the Netzarim corridor during the war, the university is beginning to restore operations gradually. “We will start anew with the remaining buildings, step by step,” Shubeir said. He emphasized that the university maintained its neutrality and commitment to peace, even amid threats to its facilities.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that Hamas had used parts of Al-Azhar University for military purposes, including an underground tunnel and weapons storage. On December 7, 2024, IDF forces destroyed structures used for these operations. Shubeir estimated that the financial loss to the university exceeded $40 million, including the $30 million destruction of the new campus alone.
Still, the university remains committed to its mission. “In Gaza, there are people who want life. We want to live in peace and stability,” Shubeir said.
For many students, returning to campus is both inspiring and challenging. Mira Al-Agha, a first-year pharmacy student, said her motivation comes from a belief that education is the only sustainable path forward. “We have great faith in Al-Azhar University that it will recover,” she said, noting that staff continue to work tirelessly despite limited facilities.
Students face practical challenges as well, including costly and unpredictable transportation and the near-total destruction of laboratories and equipment. Dentistry student Abdul Rahman Amer described losing hope when he saw the destroyed buildings, but temporary facilities restored his determination to continue.
Amer’s daily routine illustrates the broader difficulties: commuting long distances, securing expensive dental materials, and navigating scarce resources. Yet, he insists, “Nothing will benefit me except finishing my studies.”
The reopening of universities, though limited, symbolizes the broader effort to rebuild Gaza by protecting its students’ futures. Shubeir stressed that education is central to the region’s recovery. “Our buildings were destroyed, but our will was not,” he said, appealing to the international community to support Gaza’s students. “We want life, peace, and dignity. Stand with us so we can protect this generation and give them the future they deserve.”
Earlier we wrote that Thailand and Cambodia resume border clashes, accuse each other of breaking ceasefire.
