In the coastal city of El Arish in Egypt’s North Sinai, a new educational institution has become a refuge for hundreds of Palestinian children displaced by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The school, established by Palestinian teacher Hadeel Zourob, serves nearly 400 students aged six to 18 who fled the violence in Gaza and now live in the region.
Zourob, who herself left Gaza with her family six months after the war erupted in October 2023, recognized the urgent need for schooling among displaced Palestinian children in the area. With limited educational options available, especially for refugees, she and other Palestinian teachers began offering classes in a rented building. What started as small lessons for about 150 children has since expanded into the only Palestinian school in North Sinai, a region known for its remoteness and economic challenges.
Funding for the school’s rent and supplies is provided by the Misr El Kheir Foundation, one of Egypt’s largest charitable organizations, allowing the institution to operate free of charge. The curriculum follows the Palestinian educational system, with many textbooks and materials brought directly from Gaza to maintain continuity for the students.
El Arish, situated approximately 44 kilometers from the Gaza border, has become a critical hub for displaced Palestinians due to its proximity and its role in facilitating aid convoys and medical evacuations from Gaza. The city’s dusty streets and modest apartment buildings now host many families shared between borders, including Zourob’s, who have relatives on both sides.
Inside the school, children can be seen wearing traditional black-and-white keffiyeh scarves and colorful Palestinian attire, underscoring their cultural identity despite their displacement. The schoolyard fills with the sounds of songs, clapping, and cheerful activity during morning assemblies, offering a brief respite from the trauma of conflict that many pupils endured.
Beyond education, the school has become a sanctuary for children injured in the conflict, providing support alongside their families who continue to navigate the uncertain realities of displacement. For Zourob and those involved, the center represents a vital effort to preserve the education and cultural heritage of Gaza’s displaced youth amid ongoing regional instability.