Gaza students face lethal risks traveling to makeshift schools

OPA WIRE, Oct 31 (OPA) — Fourteen-year-old Mohammed Hamad was killed by an Israeli strike on October 17 while walking home from school in Deir el-Balah. His ten-year-old brother, Abdullah, survived the attack, which occurred as the pair navigated the al-Baraka neighborhood. The incident is part of a broader pattern of violence affecting children attempting to resume their education following the resumption of the academic year on September 19.

Between October 18 and 24, at least ten children and one teacher were killed in Gaza. The Ministry of Education reported that two girls were wounded during a morning assembly at Muradiya School in Jabalia on October 21, while five students sustained injuries during an attack on the Islamic University campus in Gaza City. According to the enclave’s Ministry of Health, at least 1,574 Palestinians have been killed and 5,687 injured since the October 2025 ceasefire agreement.

Risks are particularly acute near the so-called “Yellow Line,” a boundary separating Israeli and Palestinian-controlled territory. United Nations data indicates this line has shifted westward, placing Israel in control of more than 65 percent of Gaza, compared to 53 percent a year ago. At least 66 Palestinian children have been killed in proximity to this zone, where students and teachers remain exposed to regular sniper fire and artillery strikes.

Families continue to struggle with the psychological and physical toll of the ongoing conflict. Suad Abd Rabbo, a fourth-grade student, remains unable to walk after being shot near her school on October 21. Despite the urgent need for specialized surgery, strict movement restrictions imposed by Israel prevent her from seeking treatment abroad. Parents report that the constant threat of fire, even near makeshift classrooms, has forced many to choose between their children’s safety and their education.