Gaza's Children Face Uncertain Future as Wartorn Schools Remain Closed

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DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip - Amid the rubble and debris of a war-torn territory, a desperate quest for education has become a daily struggle for over 600,000 Palestinian children in Gaza. The devastating conflict between Israel and Hamas has left more than 600 schools destroyed, forcing hundreds of thousands of children to miss out on the past two years of school. According to UNICEF, only about 100,000 children have been able to return to makeshift schools, while UNRWA estimates that over 630,000 children missed out on school during the war. The dire situation has sparked concerns among humanitarian officials about the long-term consequences for an entire generation. "It's critical for children to return to classes as soon as possible, not just for basic education but also for their mental health," said John Crickx, a UNICEF spokesman. "If we don't offer education, there could be terrible consequences for an entire generation.