In a powerful display of solidarity, dozens of Palestinian students and children gathered in southern Gaza on Sunday to express gratitude for the support they have received from US college campuses in recent weeks. The demonstration took place at the Shaboura refugee camp in Rafah, where children held banners with heartfelt messages such as "Students of Columbia University, continue to stand by us" and "Violating our right to education and life is a war crime."

The students and children gathered around makeshift tents near a school that now serves as a shelter for Palestinians displaced from northern Gaza. Moving footage captured people spray-painting messages of gratitude on the fabric of the tents, with one message stating, "Thank you, students in solidarity with Gaza. Your message has reached us."

Displaced student Takfeer Abu-Yousuf from Beit Hanoun in Northern Gaza expressed the significance of acknowledging the students in the US who have supported them. Despite the difficult conditions in the camp, where the tents provide little protection against the elements, Abu-Yousuf emphasized the importance of expressing their gratitude, stating, "They have been destroyed on top of our children, elders, and women. We can't write these thank you messages on the walls of our homes because we have no homes."

Eighteen-year-old Rana Al-Taher highlighted the tragedy of seeing the school in the camp transformed from a place of learning and education into a shelter. She passionately stated that they had lost their education, their only hope in Gaza, and demanded that it be restored. Al-Taher urged for their right to education to be upheld, emphasizing, "that's why we're here."

Shockingly, the UN reports that over 200 schools in Gaza have been directly hit since the start of Israel's bombardment, leaving no education available for nearly six months. In a recent report, UN experts condemned the "systemic obliteration" of Gaza's education system, stressing the long-term impact on the fundamental rights of people to learn and express themselves.

Bayan Al-Fiqhi, a first-year university student unable to attend her classes in Cairo due to the war, expressed her appreciation for the US students' solidarity protest. Al-Fiqhi called on them to increase pressure on Israel and the US to halt the devastating bloodshed in the Gaza Strip and prevent the invasion of Rafah.

The fate of Rafah, home to 1.3 million displaced Palestinians, remains uncertain. Speculation has been mounting about an anticipated Israeli military operation in the city, but the UN has repeatedly warned against a ground invasion, fearing the dire consequences and potential slaughter that could result.

Nowar Diab, a 21-year-old Gazan student, shared her personal journey of shattered dreams and disrupted academic pursuits due to Israel's bombardment of Gaza. Despite the pain and suffering endured, Diab remarked on the resilience and determination of Gazan students to persevere, standing as a testament to their unwavering spirit.

The heartfelt display of gratitude from Palestinian students and children in southern Gaza serves as a poignant reminder of the impact and importance of international solidarity. Their messages of thanks, painted on make-shift tents, demonstrate the profound appreciation for the support they have received, even in the face of immense hardships.