RAMALLAH, April 5, 2026 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Children’s Day, observed annually on April 5, comes this year under extremely harsh and unprecedented conditions, as children continue to face the impacts of war, displacement, and insecurity.
Over the past two years, Palestinian children have been subjected to widespread violence, including attacks by Israeli forces and colonist assaults, with schools among the targets in various areas. Statistics indicate that more than 19,000 school students have been killed, representing not just numbers but lives and futures cut short.
In the Gaza Strip, hundreds of thousands of children are living without adequate shelter or security, facing hunger, illness, and repeated displacement. The situation represents one of the most severe humanitarian crises affecting children in modern times.
The Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education affirmed that attacks on schools and educational institutions will not deter it from fulfilling its mission. It continues to provide education through virtual schools and temporary learning spaces to ensure that children’s right to education is not lost.
Efforts are also underway to support students outside Gaza, as well as displaced children in areas such as Jenin and Tulkarm, through targeted educational interventions. The Ministry emphasized that students’ determination to continue learning in tents and amid rubble reflects resilience in the face of attempts to undermine education.
On this occasion, the Ministry issued an urgent appeal to the international community and human rights organizations, particularly UNICEF, calling for immediate protection for children in Gaza, support for the continuity and improvement of education, and assistance in rebuilding destroyed educational institutions.
The Ministry also called for increased international attention to violations against children and students, urging that these issues be raised in global forums.
It concluded by affirming that Palestinian children, despite their suffering, remain a symbol of hope, and pledged to continue working to secure their right to safe education and a dignified life.
M.N
