Relatives mourn during the funeral of 17-year-old Palestinian girl Rimas al-Madhoun, who was killed in an Israeli strike on Gaza City, Palestine held outside the morgue of Al-Shifa Hospital on November 4, 2026. [Saeed M. M. T. Jaras – Anadolu Agency]
The Ministry of Education and Higher Education in the Gaza Strip said Tuesday that a 16-year-old Palestinian schoolgirl was killed in an Israeli airstrike while returning home from school, hours after another strike hit a university college in Gaza City, killing one person and injuring 14 students.
In a statement, the ministry identified the schoolgirl as Rimas Ismail Al-Madhoun, saying she was killed shortly after leaving Al-Saraya Secondary School for Girls on her way home.
Earlier that morning, the University College of Applied Sciences was bombed while students were present on campus, according to the ministry.
The attack killed one Palestinian and injured 14 students, the statement said.
The ministry condemned the attacks, warning that the killing of students and strikes on educational institutions continue to threaten the education system in the Gaza Strip.
READ: Israeli army twisted truth on Gaza, says former military press staffer
It said the two attacks highlighted the dangers facing students attempting to continue their education amid ongoing Israeli military operations.
According to the ministry, more than 21,000 students have been killed since the beginning of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, depriving them of the opportunity to complete their education and pursue their aspirations.
The ministry held the international community, human rights organizations and child protection agencies responsible for failing to prevent further student deaths.
It criticized what it described as international silence over attacks affecting students and educational facilities, arguing that the lack of effective intervention enables continued violations against Palestinian civilians.
The ministry called attention to the urgent need to protect students and educational institutions as Gaza’s education sector continues to face severe threats.
READ: 14 students, 8 education workers killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza in October
Gaza Education Ministry says Israeli airstrike kills schoolgirl as University College bombing leaves 15 casualties
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