Effects of the prolonged war in Gaza on higher education

This paper examines the impact of the 2023–2024 war on the Gaza Strip on higher education institutions from October 7, 2023, to May 16, 2024. It documents the damage to educational infrastructure, the challenges facing the continuity of the academic process, the extent of the war's impact on educational quality, and the psychological and economic effects suffered by students and faculty members. The study employs a descriptive-analytical methodology, drawing on official data from the Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, UN agencies (UNESCO, UNRWA, OCHA), international human rights organizations (Human Rights Watch, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor), and the World Bank. It operationalizes Spacio-Cide theory through measurable indicators, including the number and percentage of destroyed educational facilities, loss of cultural and scientific resources, and disruption of academic programs. Institutional Resilience Theory is measured through indicators such as the adoption rate of distance learning, establishment of inter-institutional partnerships, and continuity of academic services under crisis conditions. After analyzing the data, the paper reviews international and local efforts to mitigate the crisis and provides recommendations for rebuilding infrastructure and supporting students and academic staff, emphasizing the importance of cooperation to support higher education in Gaza.