Doha: In a series of poignant editorials, Qatari newspapers have highlighted the severe impact of the ongoing conflict in Gaza on the region's education system. The Peninsula, an English-language newspaper, described the situation as an "education genocide," noting that the Israeli aggression has left hundreds of schools and universities in ruins, depriving countless students of their educational rights. The death toll in the conflict has reached 65,141, with 165,925 individuals wounded since October 7, 2023.
According to Qatar News Agency, prominent international figures, led by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of the Education Above All Foundation (EAA), have issued a joint statement urging global action to stop the violations against children and educational institutions in war zones. This call to action was made on the sixth International Day to Protect Education from Attack. The statement condemned the destruction of Gaza's educational infrastructure as a deliberate attempt to eradicate the intellectual, cultural, and social identity of the region.
Al-Raya, another Qatari newspaper, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the dire conditions faced by children in conflict zones and highlighting the leadership of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. The paper stressed that children are being killed, injured, and denied fundamental human rights, including education. The destruction of Gaza's educational facilities is seen as part of a systematic effort to dismantle the territory's intellectual and cultural fabric.
Al-Watan added to the discourse with an editorial underscoring the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, as warned by the United Nations. The paper called for immediate protection of civilians and reiterated that displacement orders do not relieve warring parties of their duty to safeguard civilians. The deliberate policy of genocide, marked by mass killings and forced displacement, was highlighted as a violation of international humanitarian law.
The editorials collectively urge the international community to take effective action, support independent investigations, and strengthen human rights protections in the occupied territories to advance justice and stability in the region.