Wed Dec 03 09:47:19 UTC 2025: ## Islamic University of Gaza Reopens Doors After Two Years of War
Gaza City – In a powerful display of resilience, the Islamic University of Gaza (IUG) resumed in-person classes on Saturday, marking a significant step towards recovery after two years of conflict and destruction. The university, significantly impacted by Israeli airstrikes during the recent war, had been forced to rely on limited online learning due to displacement, power outages, and damage to its facilities.
Despite the ongoing ceasefire, the return to campus takes place amidst the backdrop of partially destroyed buildings, a stark reminder of the conflict’s devastation. The university’s administration is working with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education on a phased plan to fully restore operations.
“Today is a historic day,” declared IUG President Asaad Yousef Asaad. “We are returning to education despite the tragedy and cruelty left behind by the genocide. Palestinians, as everyone knows, love life and education.”
The initial phase saw the return of students from the faculties of medicine and health sciences. While remote learning enabled the graduation of 4,000 students during the war, the university is now welcoming new students in person for the first time since October 2023.
The scale of destruction inflicted on Gaza’s educational infrastructure is immense. According to the Gaza Government Media Office, approximately 165 educational institutions were destroyed by Israeli strikes over the past two years, with another 392 sustaining partial damage.
Adding to the university’s challenges, parts of the IUG buildings continue to house hundreds of displaced families. The administration has urgently appealed to authorities to find alternative housing solutions for these families, enabling the university to fully focus on its educational mission.
The reopening of the IUG symbolizes hope and a determination to rebuild in the face of adversity, highlighting the unwavering commitment of the Palestinian people to education and a brighter future.
First Piper 