Amid the ruins of destroyed buildings, Saudi Arabia is sending a message of hope to the children of Gaza, ramping up efforts to restore education in the war-torn enclave.
Through its humanitarian arm, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), the Kingdom is establishing safe educational spaces to empower a more resilient generation of Palestinian youth, as part of its broader effort to support the Palestinian people and improve their living conditions.
Makkah School
The Big Picture: KSrelief opened Makkah School in southern Gaza as part of a Saudi initiative to establish and operate safe learning spaces for Palestinian children, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The initiative aims to restore basic services and improve the humanitarian conditions of the people of Gaza.
By the Numbers:
- 1,000 students: The school’s initial capacity.
- 32 teachers: Job opportunities at the school.
- 4,000 students: Expected capacity expansion.
What They’re Saying: Director of Education in eastern Khan Younis Ibrahim Ramadan described the move as a significant step towards rebuilding the education system and resuming the educational process, reiterating the importance of education as a “message of life” and the “foundation for building the future.”
Meanwhile, Head of the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage in Gaza Dr. Issam Abu Khalil said that the school provides children with a safe and stimulating educational environment.
Gaza War Implications on Education
State of Play: The Israeli war on Gaza, which broke out in October 2023, has damaged or destroyed nearly 90% of all school buildings in the Strip, according to data released by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in February 2026. Meanwhile, the remaining UNRWA schools have been turned into shelters for displaced families, with children now being taught in temporary learning spaces or through digital learning.
Between the Lines: Despite a ceasefire agreement taking effect in late October 2025, Israeli attacks on homes and schools continue, making Gaza unsafe for civilians, the UN warned in August. UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq reported a wave of school shootings and attacks in Occupied Palestinian Territory, from Gaza to the West Bank.
In His Words: “Learning spaces must remain safe and protected environments for both students and teachers.” – Farhan Haq UN Deputy Spokesperson.
KSrelief Humanitarian Intervention
Go Deeper: Recognizing the importance of education in building resilient societies, Saudi Arabia launched initiatives to support the continuity of education in the Gaza Strip. As part of these efforts, KSrelief signed a joint executive program with the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage in April to establish and operate safe field schools for 1,000 male and female students.
Key Objectives:
- Provide safe and stimulating learning environment.
- Provide psychological and social support for children impacted by education disruption.
- Help children restore their educational path.
KSrelief’s support campaign also involved addressing the needs of children continuing their education in harsh conditions. In light of this, the humanitarian agency distributed winter clothing to students in learning spaces in Khan Younis in January.
Moreover, KSrelief’s Economic Empowerment Project, launched in collaboration with the Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, provides 130 hours of specialized training to over 1,000 individuals from vulnerable groups across eight vocational and digital tracks to help them access the labor market.
Reality Check: So far, KSrelief has implemented 14 projects in the education sector in Palestine, with a total cost exceeding $42 million.
Saudi Support for Gaza
The Context: Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian support for Gaza goes beyond education, covering various sectors, including health, food security, early recovery, logistics, and water and environmental sanitation. According to KSrelief’s Spokesperson Samer Al-Jetaily, the Kingdom’s humanitarian aid to Gaza has reached approximately SAR 1.8 billion.
What to Know: Saudi Arabia is a steadfast supporter of Palestine, advocating for the rights of the Palestinian people to have their own independent state and live a dignified life. Since its establishment in 2015, KSrelief’s aid to Palestine has reached over $545 million across 156 projects.
Furthermore, the Kingdom is one of the largest donors to the UNRWA, providing a total of $835 million in development and humanitarian assistance through UNRWA over the years. Separately, the Saudi Fund for Development has contributed $13.9 million specifically to back the agency’s education, healthcare, and relief programs.
What to Watch: Saudi Arabia is preparing a series of new UNRWA-implemented projects valued at an estimated $20 million – the blueprints for which were finalized in February – to cover vital sectors across Gaza, Syria, and Jordan to meet the mounting needs of Palestinian refugees.
The Bottom Line: Saudi Arabia’s educational initiatives in Gaza, through KSrelief, provide a vital bridge between emergency humanitarian relief and long-term human development, offering children a restored promise for the future.
