Gaza, May 12, 2025 – Mohammad Dahman, WAFA: Among the rubble of destroyed residential towers in Hamad City, west of Khan Younis, where the only shade comes from the wreckage of war and the air is thick with the scent of gunpowder, stands a school called “Ishraqet Amal” (Ray of Hope).
It was not built on solid infrastructure but rather on the determination of people who chose to plant the seeds of education in a land covered in ash.
Hamad City: From Urban Model to a Testament of Tragedy
Located west of Khan Younis, Hamad City was once one of Gaza’s most modern and beautiful housing projects, funded by Qatar, providing thousands of families with a sense of stability. However, it did not escape the devastation of war. Israeli airstrikes reduced its towers to ruins, leveling most of the city in relentless bombardments that spared no corner. Today, Hamad City stands as a symbol of a second Nakba, a daily scene of destruction and grief.
From Ashes and Rubble, Hope Emerges
Amid the wreckage, where paved streets have turned into dusty alleys, “Ishraqet Amal” was established inside plastic tents that offer little protection from the scorching summer heat or the bitter winter cold. The tents deteriorate day by day, yet they shelter something invaluable: education and resilience—a refusal to surrender.
Osama Al-Jazzar: From Initiative to Educational Institution
Osama Mohammad Al-Jazzar, the school’s director and founder, as well as a member of Hamad City’s council, told WAFA News Agency:
“From the start of the war, we believed that education must continue, no matter the circumstances. As a city council and a group of parents, we began with small initiatives, which gradually evolved into a full-fledged project that officially launched in April 2024. We planned from the beginning to continue our high school program this year, just as we did last year.”
He added: “Ishraqet Amal was established thanks to a generous donation from businessman Nidal Al-Rantisi. It is a non-profit school serving displaced families and Hamad City residents. We now have 870 students from kindergarten to sixth grade, 36 university-qualified teachers, and five administrators, all working voluntarily without any financial compensation.”
Exhaustion and the Pain of Childhood
Al-Jazzar emphasized that malnutrition among children is one of the most pressing challenges:
“Every day, we witness cases of fainting among students. Their bodies are frail, their families have nothing, and some children arrive at school without having eaten anything—not even a piece of bread.”
He continued: “Even some teachers have fainted due to hunger, reflecting the depth of the crisis that affects not only the students but everyone.”
Riham Abu Al-Reesh: A Prisoner’s Wife and a Mother Teaching Through Hardship
Riham Abu Al-Reesh, a mother of five and the wife of a prisoner detained since March 2024, has been volunteering at the school since November of the same year. Her voice carries both sorrow and determination as she recounts:
“After my husband was taken, I had to step out of my home to care for my children and face life. I saw children wandering the streets without education, so I decided to teach them and educate my own children myself, especially since I have a degree in English.”
She teaches kindergarten through third grade and adds:
“It breaks my heart to see them standing in lines for water and bread, but when one of them learns a new letter, I feel like I am planting a seed of light in the darkness.”
Su’ad Al-Farran: A Mother Who Buried Her Heart and Returned to Teach
Among the most unforgettable testimonies is that of Su’ad Nathmi Al-Farran, a teacher who lost two of her children in March 2025. She recalls:
“I volunteered in November 2024 with the intention of educating the children of my homeland and seeking closeness to God through my son Ayman’s recovery. Despite the harsh conditions, everything was moving forward—until the darkest day arrived. My son Ayman, 13 and a half years old, and my daughter Bisan, 9 and a half years old, were both killed in an airstrike. My other daughters, Yara and Sara, were injured.”
Her voice remains steady, concealing an ocean of grief:
“After losing them, everything inside me collapsed. I stopped teaching, searching for their faces in every student. But my husband, my colleagues, and my injured daughters supported me. Today, I have returned to continue what I started—to teach other children as if they were my own.”
Taghreed Al-Da’our: A Widow of War Who Chose the Path of Light
Taghreed Al-Da’our, a mother of five, lost her husband in an indiscriminate airstrike on Al-Nakheel Street in March 2024. She recounts:
“It was a Friday, and his sister was visiting us. He went out to buy chicken and never returned. He was killed along with four others in a strike that hit the city.”
She joined the school a few months later, explaining:
“I wanted to gather the children of Hamad City under the wing of education instead of leaving them in the streets. I wanted to channel my grief into something meaningful, and perhaps, in the future, I will find a job that helps me raise my children. But above all, I wanted to save myself from the darkness.”
From Tent to School, From Ashes to a Future
Subhiya Abu Al-Khair, one of the school’s organizers, told WAFA News Agency:
“We operate in two shifts, each lasting only two hours due to extreme heat and hunger—children simply cannot endure long hours. The school lacks the most basic necessities: no electricity, no desks, and only one bathroom for everyone.”
She added: “Some organizations are trying to provide psychological support for students. We have ten children with disabilities whom we are working to integrate despite all the challenges. This school is not just a place for education—it is a sanctuary for humanity and healing.”
Numbers That Tell a Story of Tragedy
Statistics from the school’s administration reveal the depth of suffering within these tents:
- 54 students are children of martyrs.
- 19 students have imprisoned parents.
- 3 children survived massacres that wiped out their entire families.
- 10 teachers lost loved ones in the war.
“Ishraqet Amal”—A Name That Speaks the Truth
In Gaza, where darkness often overshadows light, schools sometimes rise from the ashes.
“Ishraqet Amal” is not just a collection of plastic tents—it is an idea born from determination, nurtured by the hearts of grieving mothers, imprisoned fathers, and children who know nothing of the world except bombings and bread lines—yet they continue to learn.
