The new Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip came, as the process of reconstructing the
destruction of the previous Israeli aggression in 2014 was not yet completed. The
occupation forces continued their policy of demolishing homes and displacing residents
as a political pressure card against the Palestinians. The targeting of citizens' homes
began on the first day of the aggression. The frequency of targeting homes increased
significantly in the following days, as the targeting included entire residential towers,
which Israel leveled with the ground. The occupation, through artillery shelling and
spreading rumors of the approaching of its ground entry into the Strip, has also
displaced tens of thousands of residents of the border areas from their homes. Many
citizens in the border areas have taken refuge in schools, especially UNRWA schools
or relatives' homes far from the border area.
According to statistics issued by the Government Information Office on Tuesday, May
18, 2021, the Israeli bombing destroyed 1,174 housing units completely or severely,
and 7,073 other units sustained moderate to minor damage. The bombing destroyed 32
towers9.
According to UNRWA, the Israeli aggression has caused the displacement of nearly
(40) thousand citizens so far, who have sought refuge in 48 schools run by the Agency,
and it reported that more than 2,500 people have become homeless after the destruction
of their homes10.
The Israeli bombing also cut off water, sanitation, and electricity services in large
residential areas, especially in the northern and northeastern regions of the Gaza Strip,
which led to great suffering for the residents there and forced some of them to leave
their homes to shelter at the homes of their relatives, or some UNRWA schools in their
areas. In recent days, the Israeli occupation army bombed many roads in the Gaza Strip,
and the road network near Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City, which resulted in
massive damage to the infrastructure and would impede medical staff in performing
their duties, especially the movement of ambulances, as well as civil defense vehicles.
4.
The right to education
The Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip began in light of an unprecedented global crisis
in education in the Gaza Strip due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as school hours were
suspended for varying periods. The bulk of students now receive education through
special programs that provide the opportunity for distance learning, which naturally
requires the regular availability of electricity and high-quality internet service, both of
which are not available in the Gaza Strip due to the Israeli policies towards the Strip.
The Gaza Strip also suffers a shortage of schools due to the lack of facilities resulting
9
Government Press Office (Gaza), Government Press Office statement, May 18 2021
shorturl.at/aimGY
10
Radio Voice of Germany (DW) at the following link : shorturl.at/vyzJ9