Nablus: The Israeli army raided two schools in the northern occupied West Bank province of Nablus as the new academic year began, local sources said. The sources reported that Israeli forces entered the grounds of Huwwara Boys Secondary School, located south of Nablus, and threatened the school administration while demanding the removal of the Palestinian flag. Another Israeli force entered the grounds of Burqa Boys Secondary School northwest of Nablus, with no injuries or arrests reported.
According to Anadolu Agency, the raids occurred on the first day of the 2026-2027 academic year, as 846,289 students returned to schools across the occupied West Bank. These students are enrolled in 2,537 government, private, and UN-run schools, with around 54,000 teachers. The Palestinian Education Ministry stated that 634,294 students are enrolled in 1,967 government schools, while 163,787 attend 480 private schools. Another 48,208 students attend 90 schools run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).
The new school year coincides with escalating attacks by the Israeli army across the occupied West Bank, especially in rural areas and Bedouin communities, with schools and other educational facilities being affected. In occupied East Jerusalem, the ministry indicated that the academic year began despite Israeli measures targeting Palestinian schools, teachers, students, and curricula. The ministry has opened four additional schools in remote and Bedouin areas for primary-level students amid Israeli threats of demolition and forced displacement in communities in Area C of the occupied West Bank. It also allocated $1.5 million to provide buses for students in affected areas to help ensure access to schools.
In the Gaza Strip, administrative and teaching staff are scheduled to return on September 16, while students are expected to resume classes on September 19, according to the ministry. Authorities are preparing around 700 in-person learning sites across the enclave for more than half a million students, as well as 25 temporary schools. Online education will continue for students unable to reach the in-person facilities. The ministry stated that the arrangements would allow around 541,000 students in Gaza to continue their education with the resources currently available.
Hundreds of thousands of students in Gaza have been deprived of regular schooling since the Israeli war began in October 2023, with many schools being turned into shelters for displaced Palestinians. The Israeli army has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians and injured over 174,000 in a war that has severely impacted much of Gaza's civilian infrastructure.