Palestinian educational institutions suspend classes in West Bank on 3rd anniversary of Gaza genocid

Palestinian educational institutions announced the suspension or rescheduling of classes Wednesday in the occupied West Bank amid concerns about possible tensions and field escalation on the third anniversary of the start of Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip.

The measures included government and private schools, as well as universities, with some institutions moving classes online.

An-Najah National University, a private institution in the northern West Bank, said its students will 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.”

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 operating three days a week because of the financial crisis facing the Palestinian Authority.

Israel announced a comprehensive closure Sunday 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 Israel’s genocide on Gaza began Oct. 7, 2023, Israeli forces and occupiers have intensified attacks in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, involving killings, arrests, displacement, home demolitions, land leveling and illegal settlement expansion, according to Palestinian sources.