Nearly 800 Palestinian children living in the Shu’fat Refugee Camp in East Jerusalem may soon be left without schools after Israeli authorities ordered the shutdown of six educational institutions operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
The closures are scheduled to take effect by 8 May, raising serious concerns among residents and international organizations.
The schools, run by UNRWA for decades, have served as local learning centers for children growing up in the overcrowded camp. Israel claims the schools do not have valid licenses, and the orders prohibit all access to the premises, including by teachers, staff, and students. These restrictions threaten to cut off hundreds of young people from their education.
Local families, teachers, and officials worry that the closures will disrupt the daily lives of students who have relied on these schools for years. Many fear that without access to classrooms, students will fall behind in their studies, and long-term dreams—such as becoming doctors, teachers, or engineers—may be out of reach. The community now faces an uncertain future as it scrambles to find alternative learning options within a highly restricted environment.
International delegates from 12 UNRWA partner countries recently visited Shu’fat to show solidarity with the affected families. They listened to the fears and frustrations of children and parents who now face losing a vital part of their daily lives. The visit brought global attention to the issue, drawing criticism from human rights organizations.
These closure orders come as part of Israel’s broader effort to remove UNRWA operations from its territory and occupied areas. A new set of Israeli laws passed in late 2024 bans the agency from functioning in such regions and forbids any official interaction with it. The move has intensified tensions between Israel and international bodies that support Palestinian refugees.
Israel accuses UNRWA staff of being linked to a deadly Hamas attack in October 2023. The agency has strongly denied the claims, and many of its international partners have continued to offer support. Since its founding in 1949, UNRWA has assisted millions of Palestinian refugees across the Middle East, providing education, health care, and basic services.
Now, with the deadline approaching, the fate of hundreds of children in East Jerusalem hangs in the balance. The closures threaten not only their schooling but also their hopes for a better future.