They will kill you: Violence Against Palestinian Education in Mughayyir
The shooting of Aws al-Naasan, a 14-year-old boy, outside his school in Mughayyir on April 21, 2026, starkly illustrates the escalating violence against Palestinian education in the occupied West Bank. Aws was shot in the head by an Israeli reservist amid a rising tide of settler violence targeting schools and students.
Classes at Mughayyir boys’ secondary school were suspended for a week following this tragic event, which also claimed the life of another student, Jihad Abu Naim. The fear gripping this community is palpable; many families are now hesitant to send their children to school.
“We want to go back to school, but our families are worried,” said Ahmed Abu Ali, a friend and classmate of Aws. This sentiment echoes throughout Mughayyir as residents grapple with the implications of such violence on their children’s future.
Israeli settlers have not only targeted students but also attacked educational infrastructure. Shortly after Aws’s death, settlers demolished a British- and European-funded school for Palestinian children. This pattern of aggression has been documented extensively; according to reports from B’Tselem, Israeli forces frequently disrupt education by setting up checkpoints that intimidate students.
The situation is dire across the region. A UN report highlighted that Israeli attacks in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 792 teachers and 18,639 students. In Hammamat al-Maleh, settlers used bulldozers to raze classrooms and playgrounds—further illustrating the systematic targeting of Palestinian education.
“These attacks on the education of Palestinian children are not isolated incidents,” stated James Elder, global spokesperson for UNICEF. His words resonate with many who see these actions as part of a broader strategy that undermines Palestinian communities.
Tariq Hathaleen, a local resident, expressed deep concern: “This path is not just a road; it is the lifeline that connects our children to their education and to a sense of normal life.” Yet this lifeline hangs by a thread as violence continues unabated.
B’Tselem noted that Israeli militias often raid Palestinian villages to provoke confrontations. They then use these situations as pretexts for lethal gunfire against residents defending their homes. The cycle of violence threatens not just lives but also the very fabric of Palestinian society.
