In North Sinai, Egypt, a Palestinian teacher has established the region’s only Palestinian school to serve children displaced by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The school, located in El-Arish—44 kilometers from the Gaza border—provides education to nearly 400 Palestinian students who have fled the war and sought refuge in Egypt.

Hadeel Zourob, a Palestinian educator herself displaced from Gaza six months into the conflict, spearheaded the initiative. After arriving in El-Arish with her family, Zourob began teaching a small group of children in a rented building. The effort has since expanded, with support from the Misr El Kheir Foundation, one of Egypt’s largest charitable organizations, which helps cover costs including rent and supplies.

The students range in age from six to 18 and follow the Palestinian curriculum, with many textbooks brought from Gaza. Classes take place in a modest facility where children participate in lessons, recite morning assemblies, and engage in creative activities such as drawing. The school also serves children recovering from war injuries, providing a critical environment amid the displacement.

Most students live in temporary accommodations offered by Egyptian authorities, while some continue to receive medical care. Parents and teachers emphasize that the school strives not only to provide education but also to support the psychological recovery of children affected by the violence and upheaval.

“Despite the difficult conditions we are living through outside Gaza, we hope these children can still achieve their dreams,” said Palestinian mother Ons Shehta, who has a child attending the school.

The displacement of Palestinian children has posed significant educational challenges. According to UNICEF, more than 14,000 Palestinian school-age children have arrived in Egypt since the conflict began. Many face obstacles accessing online education due to the cost of internet services and electronic devices, compounded by rising living expenses and uncertain legal status in Egypt.

Human Rights Watch notes that refugee and asylum-seeking families in Egypt frequently encounter barriers to education, including restrictive residency requirements and challenges in registering for free public schools.

Back in Gaza, prolonged conflict has devastated the education system, with UN agencies reporting that approximately 98 percent of schools have been damaged or destroyed. Just last month, thousands of children in Gaza returned to classrooms for the first time since the conflict erupted.

Teachers at Zourob’s school underscore the importance of maintaining a connection to Palestinian educational and cultural identity, ensuring students feel a sense of normalcy and belonging. “We are working as a team to make up for what the students missed and immerse them in the school environment,” said teacher Hamied Abu Daher. “When they eventually return to Gaza, the school atmosphere won’t feel strange to them. They will still have that experience and spirit of school life.”

The school in El-Arish represents a vital effort to preserve education and stability for Palestinian children displaced by war, amid ongoing humanitarian and educational challenges across the region.