Israel’s Rafah crossing clampdown freezes Gaza’s academic hopes
Israel's control over the Rafah crossing has restricted Gaza students from traveling abroad for education, leaving thousands unable to plan their next steps. A ceasefire in October 2025 did not bring significant relief, with the crossing remaining mostly closed to civilians.
Life in Gaza has been severely disrupted, affecting students' ability to continue their education. Israel's military control over southern Gaza since May 2024 has made the Rafah crossing heavily restricted. Thousands of students are unable to plan their next steps due to constantly changing travel rules and limited scholarship opportunities abroad. The crossing partially reopened in February 2026, but movement remains heavily restricted, with only about 80 people crossing daily, mostly for urgent medical cases. Kamel Rami, a Palestinian student, received a scholarship to study electronic engineering in Pakistan but has been unable to leave Gaza due to the crossing's restrictions. His scholarship remains valid but increasingly uncertain.
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