Gaza Children Risk Lives to Attend Tent Schools
In Beit Lahiya, seven-year-old Tulin steps into a small classroom for the first time in two years. For most children, the first day of school is filled with excitement. For Tulin and her mother, it comes with fear and anxiety.
The ongoing Israeli military operations have destroyed much of Gaza’s school infrastructure. As a result, families have set up makeshift “tent schools” dangerously close to Israeli forces. These areas, labeled by Israel as the “yellow zone,” lie just meters from active military positions.
“Every day I walk with my heart in my hand until my daughter reaches school,” Tulin’s mother told Al Jazeera. She admitted that she often follows her daughter to class, despite knowing the risks, because she wants her to continue her education. “Without this conflict, she would already be in second grade. Yet, we remain determined to ensure she learns,” she added.
UNICEF has warned that the trauma caused by the conflict has severe effects on children. Around 25 percent of Gaza’s children now suffer from speech problems, a direct result of prolonged exposure to violence.
The makeshift schools represent both a symbol of resilience and a daily risk for families. Parents continue to prioritize education, even in the face of extreme danger.
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