UNICEF brings school supplies into Gaza after two-year ban

• UNICEF delivers school supplies to Gaza for first time in over two years amid 'Israeli' restrictions.
• Thousands of children continue learning in tents after widespread school destruction.

UNICEF announced Tuesday that it has successfully delivered pencils, notebooks, and educational play materials into the Gaza Strip for the first time in two and a half years, after 'Israeli' authorities had previously blocked such items.

Spokesperson James Elder said thousands of recreational and educational tools were brought in recently, with another 2,500 school kits expected next week following approval. 'Israeli' authorities overseeing aid entry allowed the supplies but not textbooks.

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Elder highlighted the severe impact on children, who endured two years of disrupted education amid ongoing 'Israeli' war on Gaza and humanitarian crises. Many studied at night in tents without lighting, while teachers struggled with limited resources.

UNICEF aims to support roughly half of Gaza’s school-aged children, about 336,000, primarily in tents due to extensive damage to school buildings. Satellite assessments in July indicated that at least 97 percent of schools were damaged during the war sparked by the October 2023 attack led by Hamas on 'Israel'.

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Elder noted that most educational support will focus on central and southern Gaza, as northern areas remain heavily damaged. 'Israel' has accused Hamas and other armed groups of operating within civilian areas, including schools, while using civilians as human shields.

The October 2023 attacks left 1,200 people dead in 'Israel', while Gaza health authorities report 71,000 Palestinian fatalities, including over 20,000 children, of whom 110 died after the ceasefire on October 10, 2025.