HEBRON, January 20, 2026 (WAFA) – The Hebron Education Directorate fully suspended school attendance in 18 public schools, eight private schools, and three kindergartens, after Israeli occupation forces stormed the southern area of Hebron and imposed a full closure since Monday, causing an almost complete paralysis in citizens’ movement and major difficulties in reaching schools.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education said the impact of the closure was not limited to schools located within the southern area only, but extended to include eight surrounding public schools.

It explained that the absenteeism rate reached 22.7% among students residing in the closed areas, while about 8% of teachers were unable to reach their schools, negatively affecting the regularity of the educational process.

The ministry noted that access was obstructed for 657 students to UNRWA schools, and for 524 students to private schools in the area.

It added that many schools witnessed repeated storming by occupation forces, accompanied by intimidation and terror campaigns that affected the safe educational environment.

T.R.