Ramallah, Dec. 17 (Petra) -- The Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education reported Tuesday that 12,799 Palestinian students have been killed and 20,942 injured since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza and the West Bank on October 7, 2023.

In its statement, the ministry detailed that over 12,681 students were killed in Gaza and 20,311 injured, while in the West Bank, 118 students were killed and 631 injured. Additionally, 538 students have been detained.

The ministry reported that 598 teachers and administrative staff have been killed and 3,801 injured across Gaza and the West Bank, with more than 158 detained in the West Bank.

Infrastructure damage includes 425 government schools, universities and related buildings, along with 65 UNRWA schools targeted in Gaza, resulting in 171 severely damaged facilities and 77 completely destroyed. In the West Bank, 109 schools and seven universities have been raided and vandalized.

The ministry emphasized that 788,000 students in Gaza remain unable to attend their schools and universities since the offensive began.

The statement noted that most students are experiencing psychological trauma and facing severe health conditions.

//Petra// AA

17/12/2024 12:35:33