In a shocking development, Al-Israa University, the last remaining of the seven Universities in the Gaza Strip, was obliterated by the Israeli army on Wednesday. The Israeli forces, having seized control of the university during their ground assault in Gaza, detonated hundreds of landmines strapped to the building, reducing it to ruins.
The university, already damaged structurally, had been repurposed by the Israeli army as a military base for operations and as a centre for detaining and interrogating isolated civilians, as stated on its Facebook page.
Footage capturing the destruction circulated on social media, heightening global condemnation. Birzeit University in the occupied West Bank condemned the “brutal assault,” linking it to the broader Israeli occupation’s campaign against Palestinians.
The assault not only targeted the educational institution but also led to the destruction of a museum within Al-Israa University, housing over 3,000 rare artifacts. Reports indicate that Israeli forces looted the museum during the assault.
The international academic community and social media users worldwide are now calling for a complete academic boycott of Israel, accusing it of a deliberate and direct assault on educational institutions and cultural centres in Gaza.
This incident compounds the dire situation of Gaza’s education infrastructure, with all seven universities in the region either destroyed or severely damaged. Academics and activists are pointing to potential war crimes in Gaza since the conflict began on October 7.
Against the backdrop of the escalating situation, hearings on a genocide case initiated by South Africa against Israel have commenced this month, gaining support from various countries. The conflict has resulted in a staggering toll, with nearly 24,500 casualties, predominantly civilians, due to Israel’s unprecedented bombardment of the Gaza Strip.
The widespread destruction caused by Israel’s air and ground offensive has led to a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crisis, prompting UN chief Antonio Guterres to label it a “catastrophe.”
