Palestinian Schools, Universities Suspend Classes in West Bank on Gaza Genocide Anniversary

The measures affected government and private schools as well as universities, with some institutions shifting classes online amid concerns for students’ safety.

An-Najah National University, a private institution in the northern West Bank, said its students would attend classes remotely Wednesday “in light of the prevailing circumstances and out of concern for their safety on the third anniversary of the start of the war on Gaza.”

Meanwhile, education directorates in most areas of the West Bank moved Wednesday’s classes to Tuesday “in view of the current circumstances” and “to ensure the safety of students.”

Government schools are currently operating three days a week because of the financial crisis facing the Palestinian Authority.

Separately, the Israeli regime announced a comprehensive closure of crossings with the West Bank and Gaza on Oct. 5 and 7, coinciding with the anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023 events, according to Israel’s public broadcaster KAN, citing Defense Minister Israel Katz.

Since the Israeli regime began its genocide in Gaza in October 2023, occupation forces have intensified attacks across the occupied West Bank, including East al-Quds.

According to Palestinian sources, the escalation has involved killings, arrests, displacement, home demolitions, land leveling and the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements.