Israel: Stop Blocking School Supplies From Entering Gaza

More than a month into the school year, the Israeli restrictions have caused severe shortages that leave students unable to afford supplies such as notebooks. Students are obliged to share or take turns studying from used textbooks and workbooks. Some did not receive any books for this year's classes. Supplies smuggled through tunnels underneath Gaza's southern border with Egypt have failed to make up for the shortages caused by Israel's arbitrary restrictions on imports of educational materials.

"Israel's blockade affects every aspect of life in Gaza, and is even preventing students from having basic school supplies," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "What possible justification can there be for blocking school supplies, which effectively deprives children of their right to an education?"

Riyadh Lubbad, a principal at al-Karmel secondary school in Gaza City, told Human Rights Watch, "Some books from the curriculum were not printed due to the lack of ink and paper. It is particularly bad for history, geography, and English-language classes."

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