Name: Gaza students hopeful as Rafah crossing reopening revives study dreams
Uploaded: 2026-02-12T13:26:49.033Z
Duration: 2 min 43 s
Description: Gaza students hope to resume studies abroad as Rafah crossing reopens after years of war halted education across the Strip.

Gaza students hope to resume studies abroad as Rafah crossing reopens after years of war halted education across the Strip.

Rafah

The reopening of the Rafah crossing has brought renewed optimism to students in Gaza, many of whom have had their education interrupted by conflict and prolonged border closures. Reema Yazouri, a master's student in computer science, is among those now able to pursue opportunities abroad after receiving offers from leading UK universities.

According to United Nations data, the majority of educational institutions in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, leaving hundreds of thousands of students out of school for over two academic years. Education officials emphasize that Rafah remains the only viable route for students to continue their studies overseas, with many expressing a commitment to return and contribute to rebuilding their homeland.

Gaza students hopeful as Rafah crossing reopening revives study dreams

Reema Yazouri's plans for a career in artificial intelligence were well on track. Before the war put her studies and her life on hold. A master's student in computer science, Reema received several unconditional offers to study at leading UK universities, none of which she could take up. Now with Rafah finally beginning to open, she's daring to dream. When I heard the news about the reopening of the crossing, I told myself it couldn't be like every other time. I didn't want to stay stuck in uncertainty, so I waited until it actually opened. Yesterday was the turning point, everything became clear, I realized I need to truly work on myself and prepare properly to enter my field with confidence. I will travel to Egypt and start making the necessary arrangements there. Once things are organized, I plan to go to the UK and continue my studies at the University of Bristol, which is my top priority right now. Higher education in Gaza is highly valued, but years of war and closed borders have disrupted schooling for an entire generation. According to the UN, 95% of campuses have been damaged, 22% of Gaza's 38 campuses have been completely destroyed, 745,000 students have missed school for more than two academic years, including 88,000 higher education students. The reopening of Rafah crossing is not just about movement, it's about possibility. For thousands of students in Gaza, years of closed borders have meant suspended degrees and stolen futures. Rafah is more than just a crossing, it is the gate to a generation's right to learn, travel and rebuild. If this gate opens fully, it does not just connect Gaza to the world, but it reconnects young people to their future. Education officials say Rafah remains the only path for students who want to continue their studies abroad after years of enforced isolation. There is no doubt that the Rafah crossing is the only window of hope for Gaza's students after being denied travel for more than two years to continue their education, whether it be undergraduate, master's or doctorate level through scholarships. Rima says she is not looking to leave, but she is focused on coming back, returning with her degree and the AI skills she will use to help rebuild her homeland.

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