21,701 Palestinian Students and Education Staff Killed Since October 2023

UNRWA schools in Gaza that were used as shelters for Palestinian refugees were destroyed by Israeli attacks. (Source: UNRWA)

JAKARTA - The Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education announced that the number of students and education staff who have died since October 7, 2023 has increased to 21,701 throughout the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

According to data released by the ministry on Tuesday, the number of casualties included 20,647 students and 1,054 teachers and education staff who were killed as a result of Israel's ongoing violations targeting the right to education, reported WAFA (10/6).

The ministry further reported that more than 179 government schools throughout the Gaza Strip have been completely destroyed, while more than 105 schools run by UNRWA have been targeted by shootings and suffered extensive damage and vandalism. In addition, more than 63 university buildings have also been completely destroyed.

In the West Bank, nine universities and colleges have been the target of repeated raids and vandalism, in addition to the ongoing attacks on a number of schools and targeting of students by settlers.

According to data, 128 school students and 39 university students have been killed in the West Bank. In addition, 861 school students and more than 278 university students were injured, while 421 school students and more than 487 university students were detained.

Meanwhile, in the Gaza Strip, more than 19,101 school students and 1,379 university students have been killed, while more than 28,419 school students and 3,017 university students have been injured.

Education staff have also been heavily impacted. In the West Bank, six school staff members were killed and 25 others were injured, while more than 171 others were detained.

Meanwhile, in the Palestinian Pocket Region, 802 school staff members and 246 university staff members have been killed, while 3,291 school staff members and more than 1,493 university staff members have been injured.