In the war-torn streets of southern Gaza, 14-year-old Ezz El-Din and his siblings spend their days collecting rubble from destroyed buildings. They labor tirelessly to help their father, who was injured during Israel’s 2014 war with Hamas. The stones they gather are not for rebuilding homes or schools but for constructing graves in the cemetery where they have found refuge. There is no back-to-school season here; only the harsh reality of survival in a place devastated by conflict.
Ezz El-Din’s story is one of many in Gaza, where children find themselves shouldering the burden of adult responsibilities far too soon. “Children the same age as us in other countries are studying and learning. We are not; we are working in something that is beyond our ability,” Ezz laments. “We are not capable of this work, but we are forced to do it to make a living.” For Ezz and his siblings, each day involves about 10 hours of grueling labor, yielding a mere $4 on a good day. They are trapped in a cycle of hardship, one that seems to have no end in sight.
The current conflict, which intensified following the October 7th attacks, has further worsened conditions for Gaza’s children. The bombardments by the Israeli Defense Forces have damaged more than 90% of school buildings, with around 85% requiring significant reconstruction. This level of destruction suggests that it could take years before many of these schools are usable again. With schools reduced to rubble, Gaza’s 625,000 school-age children face an uncertain future. They have already lost nearly an entire year of education, a situation that has left many parents and community members deeply concerned.
“The children’s future is lost. There is no education or study,” says Umm, a grandmother caring for nine of her young grandchildren. “What they studied last year is completely forgotten. If they return to school, they’ll have to start from the beginning. Ask them, they forget everything.” Her words reflect a broader despair felt by many in Gaza, where education has long been a priority. Before the war, Gaza had a literacy rate of nearly 98%, one of the highest in the region. Now, the focus has shifted from nurturing young minds to mere survival.
The impact of the ongoing conflict extends beyond education. Most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been driven from their homes, and children are among the most severely affected. The United Nations estimates that around 19,000 children have been orphaned. The trauma of losing parents, homes, and a sense of normalcy weighs heavily on these young lives. Meanwhile, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reports that over 40,900 Palestinians have been killed in the Strip, most of them women and children. These staggering numbers paint a grim picture of the human cost of war.
For many children like Ezz, the hope of returning to a classroom feels distant. The destruction has not only shattered school buildings but also the dreams and aspirations of a generation. With no access to education, they are forced into labor to provide for their families. Many are at risk of further exploitation, with little protection or support. The psychological toll of constant bombardment and the daily struggle to survive is immense, leaving many children deeply scarred.
Efforts to provide emergency education in makeshift settings have been hampered by the lack of safe spaces and resources. Humanitarian organizations are working to deliver basic educational materials and psychosocial support, but their reach is limited amid the ongoing conflict. The international community has called for a ceasefire and greater humanitarian access to provide critical aid to Gaza’s children, but the road to recovery remains uncertain.
Education is a cornerstone of Palestinian society, a key to a better future that many in Gaza are now struggling to reclaim. Without immediate intervention, an entire generation risks being lost to the effects of war. Ezz and his siblings, like so many others, are caught between the past and a future that seems increasingly out of reach. Their stories serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for peace and the protection of children’s rights in conflict zones.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with families like Ezz’s enduring unimaginable hardships daily. The resilience of these children is inspiring, but it should not be mistaken for acceptance. They deserve the chance to learn, to play, and to grow up in a world where their dreams are not overshadowed by the horrors of war. The world must not forget Gaza’s children and must act to ensure they have a future where education and hope are not just dreams, but realities.
