Palestinian school faces partial demolition as children prepare for new term

In the southern occupied West Bank village of Masafer Yatta, three children—Farah, Mohammed and Jawad—are preparing to attend Shaab al-Butum school for the new academic year, even though Israeli forces demolished two administrative rooms and a storage space on August 4. The Israeli government justified the action by claiming the structures were built without permits, which are nearly impossible to obtain in Area C. The remainder of the school also faces demolition risk, with a court case scheduled for September 15.

Local council head Nidal Younis said the threat extends to all seven schools in the region, part of a long-standing pattern of targeting education, housing and livelihoods. Activist Tariq Hathaleen noted that settlers have previously attacked schools, and the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission reports 84 Palestinian schools serving about 13,000 students are under demolition orders or stop-work notices. The uncertainty threatens the continuity of education for thousands of children in the area.