Israel Destroys Schools in South Lebanon, Hindering Residents' Return

The ongoing conflict in southern Lebanon is severely impacting the education sector, with schools among the primary targets of Israeli bombardment. As the new academic year approaches, education officials emphasize that rebuilding these institutions is not just an educational priority but a critical factor for the return of thousands of displaced families to their homes in border villages.

Minister of Education and Higher Education Rima Karami stated that educational and social institutions are consistently targeted by Israel. She cited the destruction of the Abdul Rauf Fadlallah Educational and Social Complex in Ainata as an example. "This systematic destruction of educational and care institutions proves, time and again, that the enemy is seeking to make the return to occupied villages more difficult, because schools are central to keeping families in their towns and villages," Karami said. She appealed to influential countries to pressure Israel to cease demolishing these vital institutions.

Concerns are mounting as damage assessments and repair preparations are underway, with fears that delays could prevent numerous students from resuming their education. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) issued a warning in early July, estimating that at least 100,000 children in Lebanon could miss the start of the next academic year if urgent repairs are not completed by September. UNICEF reported that 340 public and private schools have suffered damage, with 17 completely destroyed across several governorates.

Figures from the Education and Higher Education Ministry corroborate these warnings, detailing the scale of destruction. Data from early July indicated that 352 public and private schools were damaged, including 26 completely destroyed, affecting over 125,000 students. The damage extends to vocational and technical education, with 35 institutions impacted, including four that were completely destroyed.

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This systematic destruction of educational and care institutions proves, time and again, that the enemy is seeking to make the return to occupied villages more difficult, because schools are central to keeping families in their towns and villages.