For the first time in more than two years, UNICEF has delivered school supplies to children in the Gaza Strip, offering a rare glimpse of educational recovery in a territory where war has left the school system nearly paralyzed.
The United Nations Children’s Fund said it transported 5,168 education kits containing notebooks, pencils and art materials for more than 375,000 children, including about 1,000 children with disabilities. The delivery marks the first such shipment since the conflict escalated following the October 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel.
Despite the breakthrough, humanitarian organizations stress that access to education in Gaza remains severely restricted. Israel controls most entry points into the enclave and says import restrictions are necessary for security. Aid groups argue the current system makes regular delivery of educational materials almost impossible.
Ted Chaiban, UNICEF’s deputy executive director, called for the approval of further shipments, saying children need basic tools to learn and recover from trauma.
AFP reporters in Gaza found that school supplies available on local markets are sold at prohibitively high prices, placing education out of reach for many families.
The development comes as the United States launches the second phase of President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, aimed at rebuilding public services. Education, however, is not among the immediate priorities.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, U.S. officials outlined a vision for a “New Gaza,” featuring modern infrastructure and economic zones. According to Reuters, the plan leaves unresolved key issues such as property rights and housing for displaced Palestinians.
Analysts warn that without restoring education, Gaza’s recovery risks leaving an entire generation behind. UNICEF’s delivery is widely seen as a necessary first step—but far from sufficient.