News|Israel-Palestine conflictIslamic University of Gaza resumes classes on site amid Israeli destructionStudents return for in-person classes amid ruins as Palestinians fight to salvage education from systematic decimation.

The Islamic University of Gaza has resumed in-person classes after a two-year hiatus, following a ceasefire in October 2025. The campus is currently accommodating approximately 500 displaced families, amidst significant structural damage resulting from recent conflicts.

The university grounds are now occupied by tents, highlighting the dual issues of homelessness and educational disruption in Gaza. Lecture halls have been transformed into temporary shelters, which impacts the educational environment significantly.

Despite these challenges, classes have partially resumed, offering a glimmer of hope to the student body. However, the facilities available are a far cry from a fully functioning educational institution. According to UNESCO, over 95% of higher education facilities in Gaza have been severely damaged or destroyed since the conflict began in October 2023.

The ongoing destruction has been termed "scholasticide" by human rights organizations, referring to the systematic annihilation of the educational infrastructure. This has left over 750,000 Palestinian students without formal education for two consecutive years, as reported by the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights. In January, Al Mezan reported that 494 educational institutions were either partially or completely destroyed, with 137 entirely reduced to rubble.

The Isra University, previously the last operational university in Gaza, was demolished by Israeli forces in January 2024. The Islamic University now operates with limited resources, including only four functional classrooms, amidst power shortages and inadequate equipment. Faculty members have had to improvise by using plastic sheets for walls and borrowing motors to generate electricity.

UN experts have warned that the extensive destruction could be seen as an effort to dismantle the foundational structures of Palestinian society. The ongoing conflict has not only affected the physical infrastructure but also hindered remote learning initiatives due to power and internet outages.

Despite these adversities, students continue to prioritize education, viewing it as a means to restore normalcy. The persistence of students, such as first-year medical student Youmna Albaba, exemplifies their determination to rebuild from scratch and pursue academic goals despite the challenging circumstances.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.