![Palestinians children inspect the destroyed building after an Israeli attack at the Et-Tabiin school in the Ed-Deraj neighborhood in Gaza City, Gaza. [Mahmoud İssa – Anadolu Agency]](https://ras.mv/storage/31IlCTROzZH1ZiBHOkuoPyV7ZJtYBNgAd6AgirFO.jpg)
In October, at least 64 attacks targeted schools in the Gaza Strip, with an average of nearly two incidents daily, according to UNICEF and its partners. The strikes resulted in approximately 128 deaths, many of whom were children, the report stated.
These schools, which often serve as shelters for displaced families and children fleeing violence, have been hit 226 times since the conflict reignited on October 7 of last year. Over one million children have been displaced over the past 14 months, experiencing severe trauma and hardship, UNICEF reported.
“Schools should never be on the frontlines of war, and children should never be indiscriminately attacked while seeking shelter,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “The horrors we are seeing in Gaza are setting a dark precedent for humanity, one where children are hit with bombs at record numbers while looking for safety inside classrooms.”
Nearly half of October’s attacks—25 in total—were concentrated in northern Gaza, an area that has endured relentless bombardment, widespread displacement, and limited humanitarian assistance. Many of these schools also provide critical malnutrition treatment and other essential services.
Under International Humanitarian Law, schools are designated as protected spaces. However, renewed hostilities in October 2023 have damaged or destroyed more than 95 percent of Gaza’s schools. UNICEF reports that 87 percent of these schools will require extensive reconstruction before they can reopen.
UNICEF emphasized the urgent need for all parties in the conflict to adhere to international laws that protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. The organization stressed that the devastating impact on children in Gaza highlights a critical need for protecting the most vulnerable amid ongoing violence.
These schools, which often serve as shelters for displaced families and children fleeing violence, have been hit 226 times since the conflict reignited on October 7 of last year. Over one million children have been displaced over the past 14 months, experiencing severe trauma and hardship, UNICEF reported.
“Schools should never be on the frontlines of war, and children should never be indiscriminately attacked while seeking shelter,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “The horrors we are seeing in Gaza are setting a dark precedent for humanity, one where children are hit with bombs at record numbers while looking for safety inside classrooms.”
Nearly half of October’s attacks—25 in total—were concentrated in northern Gaza, an area that has endured relentless bombardment, widespread displacement, and limited humanitarian assistance. Many of these schools also provide critical malnutrition treatment and other essential services.
Under International Humanitarian Law, schools are designated as protected spaces. However, renewed hostilities in October 2023 have damaged or destroyed more than 95 percent of Gaza’s schools. UNICEF reports that 87 percent of these schools will require extensive reconstruction before they can reopen.
UNICEF emphasized the urgent need for all parties in the conflict to adhere to international laws that protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. The organization stressed that the devastating impact on children in Gaza highlights a critical need for protecting the most vulnerable amid ongoing violence.
