The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned on Tuesday, August 4th, 2026, that Gaza remains unsafe for civilians as Israeli attacks continue, targeting homes and educational facilities such as schools and canvas classrooms despite the ceasefire that ended two years of war in October 2025.

In Gaza City, Israeli forces shot at a tented classroom on Tuesday, injuring a Palestinian sixth-grade student who was hospitalized, according to UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq. He highlighted a series of school shootings and attacks across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Gaza and the West Bank.

In Beit Lahia, Israeli troops reportedly demolished homes and the last remaining school in a compound on Monday, displacing nearly a dozen families. Humanitarian partners have mobilized support for those affected.

Meanwhile, in the West Bank, more than 80 Palestinian schools are currently subject to demolition or related orders. Israeli authorities demolished parts of a school in the Masafer Yatta area of southern Hebron, where over 1,000 Palestinian residents face pressure to leave.

Haq emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure under international humanitarian law, stating, “We stress that under international humanitarian law, civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected and should not be targeted.”

Efforts to mitigate the impact include rehabilitating 30 schools, providing transportation assistance and protective measures to over 2,600 students and education personnel in high-risk areas, as well as delivering education-specific cash assistance, psychosocial support, and legal aid.

The situation underscores ongoing challenges in ensuring safety and access to education for Palestinians in both Gaza and the West Bank.

Sources