Roughly 70 Palestinian children and pupils gathered in a demonstration held at Shaboura refugee camp situated near Rafah on Sunday afternoon as an expression of gratitude towards US college students who have recently displayed solidarity with Palestinians during the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Gazan Arabs. Footage obtained by CNN showed youngsters carrying placards bearing messages that read, “Students from Columbia University, keep standing by us” and “Violating our right to education and life is a war crime”.
The protesters collected around temporary shelters near a school in the camp which now serves as accommodation for Gazan families who were displaced following Israeli military operations carried out against northern Gaza. The footage revealed that people sprayed messages of appreciation on tents’ fabric, with one message reading: “Thank you students standing up to defend Gaza. Your support has reached us.”
Takfeer Abu-Yousuf – a college student who lost his house during the military campaign in Beit Hanoun located northwards – told CNN that it was essential for Gazan pupils and university scholars alike, as displaced people from northern regions, to convey gratitude towards American students because they “supported us with their humanity.”
Rana Al-Taher (18) emphasised the significance of this educational facility which currently functions as a refugee camp. She explained that what should have been an academic institution for learning and education has now become temporary accommodation, stating: “That means we’ve lost our schooling. We’ve lost all hope in Gaza – here, right here at its most essential form of learning – it’s gone.”
The United Nations (UN) reported that Israeli military operations have resulted in more than 200 schools being directly targeted since the conflict began; UNRWA – a specialised agency for Palestinian refugees established by the General Assembly – has stated: “No education is happening at all across Gaza currently, and it’s been like this almost six months.”
In its recent report published on August 26th, UN experts criticised what they called the “systematic destruction” of Gaza’s educational system. The group commented that prolonged Israeli attacks on school facilities “have a devastating long-term effect on Palestinian’ fundamental rights to learn and freely express themselves, denying another generation accessibility towards their future.”
First year university student Bayan Al Fiqi told CNN she has been unable to attend her classes at Cairo University since the war in Gaza began as its full consequences continued sporadic chaos amid conflict; despite being abroad now because of it all, she expressed gratitude for US students’ solidarity protests.
Nowar Diab (21) lamented how Israel’s bombardment campaign against Gazan regions has negatively impacted her academic pursuits: “I was supposed to graduate this year,” said the Al-Azhar University student who studied English and French literature, yet as she continued explaining: “Al Azhar got bombed – I mean the entire university! This war put up a border between me and my dreams.”
Despite Israeli military operations’ brutality against Gazan regions, Diab asserted that the resilience of Palestinian students to persevere was evident for all to see.
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