RAMALLAH, June 4, 2026 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education condemned the assault by Israeli occupation forces on a number of students from Smart College for Modern Education at a military checkpoint while they were returning to Hebron after participating in a humanitarian volunteer activity organized in cooperation with the Palestine Red Crescent Society in Ramallah.

Earlier this morning, Israeli occupation forces detained, mistreated and physically assaulted the students, resulting in injuries to several of them. The injured students were subsequently transferred to hospital for medical treatment.

The ministry also condemned the detention by Israeli occupation forces several days ago of a number of female students and a graduate from Birzeit University.

Those detained include students Jolan Abu Awwad, Natalia Abu Diya and Sama Safi, as well as graduate Laila Nael Khalil. The ministry said all remain in detention and are being interrogated by the occupation authorities.

The ministry stated that these practices form part of the Israeli occupation's systematic policies aimed at undermining the Palestinian higher education sector and denying students their right to education in a safe and secure environment.

It stressed that such attacks constitute violations of international laws, norms and conventions that prohibit assaults on universities and colleges, as well as their students, academics and staff.

The ministry reaffirmed the Palestinian people's commitment to education despite the ongoing restrictions and violations imposed by the occupation.

It also renewed its call on the International Association of Universities, the Association of Arab Universities, and all relevant international, human rights and media organizations to expose and help stop these ongoing violations against Palestinian higher education institutions and to adopt a firm and decisive stance in confronting them.

M.N