Mona Al-Zanati is relieved that her son has returned to school, although she experiences intense anxiety whenever he is not in her presence.
Expressing her concerns, Al-Zanati, 45, shared with CBC News, “Every moment he is away from me, I am filled with fear.”
“If I hear any disturbances, I immediately want to check on him at school. Recently, when he was late, I sent his father to investigate the delay,” she added.
Her son, Yamen, aged 10, is one of the many children in the Gaza Strip who are resuming their studies after enduring continuous Israeli attacks for two years.
Yamen is now attending a temporary school established in blue plastic tents amidst the ruins of Beit Lahiya in the northern region. This location is near the “yellow line,” which marks the division of Gaza under the current fragile ceasefire since October.
Despite the ceasefire agreement, parents and educators emphasize that the safety of the students remains precarious, and the blockade imposed by Israel on Gaza has resulted in a lack of essential school supplies.
âThe dedication of children to their educationâ
UNICEF, overseeing several makeshift schools in Gaza, is striving to provide students with necessary resources for their education. However, UNICEF spokesperson James Elder mentioned that Israel has prevented the entry of supplies like pens, pencils, and notebooks into Gaza.
Elder conveyed to Nil Köksal, host of CBC Radio’s As It Happens, “Some children, maybe one out of five or more, possess a bit of paper. At times, they write on the reverse side of already used sheets. Witnessing the commitment of children to their studies is truly remarkable.”
CBC has made attempts to reach out to the Israeli authorities for their response.
Despite the challenges, Elder noted a sense of joy among the students during his visits to classrooms.
During a recent visit to a UNICEF-operated school in Jabalia, a delighted girl expressed her happiness at reuniting with friends and forming new friendships. Elder shared, “It’s truly remarkable to witness 50 children in a classroom maintaining absolute silence when the teacher speaks.”
“They have a strong desire for education. They were genuinely thrilled to be back at school. The children couldn’t have been happier,” he added.
Similarly, seven-year-old Toulin Al-Hindi at the North Educational School in Beit Lahiya echoed the positive sentiment, stating, “Even though we do not have chairs, we are grateful to commence our schooling. During the conflict, schools were non-existent, and we felt bored.”
Safety Concerns
The recent conflict between Israel and Hamas commenced on October 7, 2023, following attacks by Hamas-affiliated militants on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 abductions, according to Israeli authorities.
Since