Islamic University of Gaza Struggles to Restore Education Amid Devastation

What happened

Al Jazeera Gaza reports that the Islamic University of Gaza, once a leading education institution in the enclave, has suffered extensive damage since the start of the war on October 8, 2023. Israeli bombings have destroyed much of the university's buildings, laboratories, equipment, and library resources, severely disrupting academic programs, especially in medical and health sciences which rely on hands-on training.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. Before the war, students engaged in practical learning involving medical equipment and lab work, preparing for professional careers in medicine, engineering, and sciences. However, these practices were halted after bombings damaged about 19 educational buildings, 500 classrooms, 200 scientific laboratories, and 75 computer labs. The central library lost over 240,000 books and references, according to university officials.

The university’s dean of health sciences, Abdulraouf Ali al-Manama, described the last three years as among the worst disasters in the university's history, with much of the infrastructure reduced to ruins. Displacement of Gaza’s population and the conversion of campus buildings into shelters compounded the challenges. Frequent electricity and internet outages, along with psychological strain on students and staff, have further hindered education.

Known from the source

• Islamic University of Gaza was a leading higher education institution in Gaza before October 2023.
• Israeli bombings since October 8, 2023, have caused significant damage to university infrastructure including classrooms, labs, and the central library.
• About 19 educational buildings, 500 classrooms, 200 scientific labs, and 75 computer labs were damaged or destroyed according to the report.
• The university’s central library lost more than 240,000 books, journals, and academic theses.
• Displacement and siege conditions have forced the university to convert facilities into temporary shelters.

What remains unclear

To cope with the loss of physical training facilities, the university has shifted to digital simulations and recorded experiments for teaching subjects like medical microbiology and physical therapy, but these are considered only temporary fixes. Medical student Deema Muhaisen described the shift away from laboratory learning to hospital corridors and irregular clinical interactions, which lacks proper academic supervision and the typical educational environment.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Extent and specific dates of damage to the university facilities and labs. Verification of the reported figures for damaged classrooms, labs, and library losses. Confirmation of the term 'genocidal war' as used by the source in this context.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: Al Jazeera Gaza. Open the source.