Amid the ongoing devastation in the Gaza Strip, where homes lay in ruins and families struggle to survive, the region's children are grappling with a harsh reality - they are being robbed of their right to education. This week, instead of returning to school as they should have, the Qudeh family's children found themselves collecting rubble from destroyed buildings in an effort to sell it for use in building graves at the cemetery, which has become their makeshift home in southern Gaza.

14-year-old Ezz el-Din Qudeh expressed his frustration, stating, "Anyone our age in other countries is studying and learning. We're not. We're working at something beyond our capacities. We are forced to in order to earn a living." As Gaza enters its second school year without schooling, the majority of its children are engaged in helping their families navigate the daily struggle for survival amidst the aftermath of Israel's devastating campaign.

The impact of this prolonged deprivation of education on Gaza's children is deeply concerning. Humanitarian workers warn of potential long-term damage to their cognitive, social, and emotional development. Younger children, in particular, are at risk of stunted growth in these fundamental areas, while older children face a higher likelihood of being pushed into labor or early marriages. Tess Ingram, the regional spokesperson for UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, emphasizes the grave consequences, stating, "The longer a child is out of school, the more they are at risk of dropping out permanently and not returning."

It is important to note that Gaza's 625,000 school-age children have already missed out on nearly an entire year of education due to the previous year's assault on the territory, triggered by Hamas' attack on southern Israel. With the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict and uncertain negotiations to halt the fighting, it remains unclear when these children will be able to resume their studies.

The devastating impact of the conflict is evident in Gaza's education infrastructure. More than 90% of the region's school buildings have been damaged, many of which are run by UNWRA, the U.N. agency for Palestinians. Shockingly, approximately 85% of these buildings are in such disrepair that they require major reconstruction, indicating that it may take years before they become usable again. The situation is equally dire for Gaza's universities, which now lie in ruins. Israel claims that militants from Hamas operate out of these educational institutions.

The displacement of 1.9 million people - about 85% of Gaza's total population - has resulted in overcrowded tent camps lacking crucial resources like water and sanitation systems. Additionally, UN and government schools, which are now serving as makeshift shelters, are straining to accommodate the growing number of displaced families.

Mo'men Qudeh, a father in Gaza, laments the situation, recalling how his children once enjoyed attending school and were outstanding students. "We raised them well," he said, highlighting the dreams and aspirations that have been shattered due to the ongoing conflict and destruction.

As the Gaza Strip continues to grapple with the aftermath of this devastating conflict, international humanitarian efforts are urgently needed to address the immediate needs of children and restore their access to education. Failure to act swiftly could have far-reaching consequences for the future of the region and its inhabitants.