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Amman, Jordan, February 21, 2025 —  The ̽����ѡ (̽����ѡ) warns that, since the Gaza ceasefire came into effect, rapidly increasing military violence in the West Bank has killed at least 224 children. The highest number recorded in years. This surge in violence is causing profound trauma and preventing ̽����ѡ and partners from responding to meet mounting needs in Jenin, one of the worst-hit areas. 

The ̽����ѡ, in partnership with the Palestinian organisation Teacher Creativity Center (TCC), had been working to support crisis-affected children by adapting classrooms and equipping educators to address trauma. However, ongoing military operations, including airstrikes, have destroyed infrastructure and made it nearly impossible to safely deliver these vital services. Civilians must be protected under international law, this is a non-negotiable obligation. 

Since January this year, the ̽����ѡ and TCC have been forced to suspend education activities in Jenin City, leaving 200 children without essential socio-emotional learning (SEL) - a structured approach that helps children understand and manage emotions, build resilience, and develop healthy relationships to cope with conflict-related trauma.

Until it is safe enough for the ̽����ѡ and TCC to resume work in Jenin, activities have been relocated to Ramallah, where conditions are somewhat more stable, but children remain exposed to routine military and settler violence^[1].

The suspension of programs in Jenin schools is part of a wider education crisis affecting Palestinian children across the West Bank and Gaza. In Gaza, despite the ceasefire,  school-aged children remain without formal education with almost  of schools destroyed, damaged, or being used as shelters. Meanwhile, ongoing military operations in the West Bank, including Jenin, Tulkarm, and Tubas have displaced thousands, destroyed water networks, and restricted movement. Over  of Jenin’s refugee camp residents—more than 20,000 people—have fled in the past two months. The UN  that over 100 schools have been disrupted in the West Bank, leaving students and teachers at constant risk. 

Refat Sabbah, General Director at TCC said,

“Ongoing military violence left us with no choice but to relocate the remaining Socio-Emotional Learning activities from Jenin to Ramallah. These activities help children build confidence, make friends, and manage their emotions in a healthy way. The decision was essential to protect our staff. With children in Jenin desperately needing support, this shift comes at a devastating cost—200 children have now lost access to activities that could have helped them heal from the trauma of the violence they’ve experienced.

“For children in crisis, education is more than just learning—it is a lifeline to stability, hope, and recovery as well as providing much needed safe spaces. The longer these disruptions continue, the deeper the scars left on an entire generation.”

Zoe Daniels, the ̽����ѡ's Country Director in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), said,

“While there’s a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, children in the West Bank are facing increasing levels of violence, displacement, and deep trauma. The very places meant to protect and support them—schools, safe spaces, essential services—are disappearing before their eyes.

“With violence escalating and humanitarian access under threat, we are deeply concerned that more children will be left without the education and support they desperately need. Schools must be protected. Education is a universal right and must continue, even in conflict.

“Civilians, schools, and critical infrastructure must never be targets. The international community must step up, hold those responsible accountable, and take urgent action to prevent more harm.”

Notes to editor:

• In response to the growing crisis, the ̽����ѡ has launched a five-month program to provide cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical well-being support to 1,840 children in Gaza and the northern West Bank. This program will train local teachers, therapists, and health workers to help children cope with trauma and resume their education.
• Socio-Emotional Learning (SEL) is an educational approach that helps children develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, and relationship skills, particularly in crisis-affected settings. By integrating SEL into education, children are better equipped to process trauma, build resilience, and navigate challenges in their daily lives.

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