Structural violence and education collapse in Gaza: Systemic barriers to higher learning
Original framing: “How can students in Gaza continue to learn with no universities?” — Al Jazeera
The destruction of educational institutions in Gaza echoes similar patterns in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, where education has been weaponized to suppress resistance and control populations. Historical parallels show that rebuilding education in conflict zones requires not just infrastructure, but also political will and international accountability.
The destruction of universities in Gaza is not an isolated tragedy but a systemic outcome of occupation, militarized geopolitics, and the marginalization of Palestinian knowledge systems.
Historical patterns show that education is a key site of resistance and resilience, yet mainstream narratives often reduce it to a humanitarian issue. Cross-culturally, decentralized and community-led models offer viable alternatives that can be adapted to Gaza’s context. To move forward, international actors must shift from short-term aid to long-term investment in education as a right, not a privilege. Indigenous knowledge, artistic expression, and future modeling all point to a need for education systems that are rooted in local realities and global solidarity.