Palestinian minister appeals to Egyptian counterpart to support Gaza’s education

A girl stands before a blackboard during an Arabic grammar class in a tent being used as a make-shift educational centre for primary education students in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip, Sep. 8, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 08 April 2025
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Palestinian minister appeals to Egyptian counterpart to support Gaza’s education

  • Israeli actions in Gaza have led to the destruction of 95 percent of schools
  • Ministry resumed educational activities through online platforms by creating new virtual classrooms amidst displacement

LONDON: The education system in the Gaza Strip has lost nearly 95 percent of its operational capacity due to Israeli attacks since October 2023.

Amjad Barham, the Palestinian minister of education, informed his Egyptian counterpart, Mohamed Abdel-Latif, during a meeting in Cairo on Tuesday about the significant damage sustained by the schooling sector in Gaza.

Barham reported that Israeli actions in Gaza have led to the destruction of 95 percent of schools, either through demolition, bombing, or severe damage, rendering 293 out of 309 schools non-operational.

Over 720,000 students in Gaza have been affected, with approximately 700,000 having no access to adequate education. He added that Gaza’s universities were significantly damaged by the Israeli military attacks, with around 85 percent of their buildings reduced to rubble.

Despite significant challenges, the ministry resumed educational activities through online platforms by creating new virtual classrooms amidst displacement. It also conducted 2024’s final year school exams in Egyptian schools for nearly 1,350 students from Gaza.

Barham appealed to his Egyptian counterpart to continue supporting online education initiatives for Palestinian students, according to Wafa news agency.

He urged opening courses in math, science, and language subjects. He requested that Palestinian teachers residing in Egypt be allowed to work and teach online for students in Gaza and those who have left the territory, Wafa added.


Spain highlights importance of Gaza reconstruction

Palestinian prime minister, Mohammed Mustafa, and the Spanish foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares. (AP)
Updated 02 January 2026
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Spain highlights importance of Gaza reconstruction

  • Spain officially recognized Palestine as a state in May 2024, in a coordinated move alongside Ireland and Norway

RAMALLAH: The Palestinian prime minister, Mohammed Mustafa, and the Spanish foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, on Friday discussed the latest developments in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
During their telephone conversation they emphasized the need to intensify international efforts to end the Israeli occupation and halt attacks and settler violence, and to secure the release of Palestinian funds held by Israeli authorities.
They affirmed the importance of ongoing efforts relating to plans for the reconstruction of Gaza, and Europe’s significant role in this process. Mustafa and Albares highlighted the need to unify Palestinian institutions in Gaza with those in the West Bank, with the aim of establishing a Palestinian state in line with international resolutions, including last year’s New York Declaration.
They also discussed coordination between their countries, and the strengthening of Spain’s political, diplomatic and financial support for Palestine, and Mustafa thanked Spain for its ongoing support.
Spain officially recognized Palestine as a state in May 2024, in a coordinated move alongside Ireland and Norway. Estephan Salameh, the Palestinian finance and planning minister, is set to visit Spain this month to discuss enhanced cooperation, particularly in the areas of development and reconstruction. Meanwhile, Israel continues operating in the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinian Prisoners media office said on Friday that Israel carried out numerous raids across the territory, including the major cities of Ramallah and Hebron, according to The Associated Press.
Nearly 50 people were detained, following the arrest of at least 50 other Palestinians on Thursday, most of those in the Ramallah area.
As 2026 begins, the shaky 12-week-old ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has largely ended large-scale Israeli bombardment of Gaza. 
But Palestinians are still being killed by Israeli fire, especially along the so-called Yellow Line that delineates areas under Israeli control, and the humanitarian crisis is compounded by frequent winter rains and colder temperatures.
On Friday, American actor and film producer Angelina Jolie visited the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. 
The only crossing between the territory and a country other than Israel, it remains closed despite Palestinian requests to reopen it to people and aid.
Jolie met with members of the Red Crescent on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing and then visited a hospital in the nearby city of Arish to speak with Palestinian patients on Friday, according to Egyptian officials.
Aid groups say not enough shelter materials are getting into Gaza during the truce.