More than half a million students have returned to school in Gaza after three years of war, though post-secondary education remains virtually non-existent. In response to this void, an unusual partnership between the Gaza Children Village and the University of the People has enrolled 250 Gazan students in online, U.S.-accredited degree programs. The initiative, led by Palestinian-American neurosurgeon David Hasan and Israeli-American entrepreneur Shai Reshef, aims to provide educational continuity despite severe infrastructure challenges and ideological tensions.
The Gaza Children Village, founded by Hasan in late 2023, has grown into one of the strip's largest school networks, serving approximately 22,000 students. The organization combines education with nutrition and healthcare, partnering with World Central Kitchen for meals and operating on-site clinics. Hasan, who initially volunteered for pediatric cases, stated that his focus shifted to education after encountering numerous orphans. He navigated intense political polarization by promising a curriculum free of bias, explicitly avoiding what he termed 'brainwashing' by either Israeli or Hamas narratives.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive voices and Palestinian advocacy groups have raised specific concerns regarding the privacy implications of David Hasan’s plan to record classes and use artificial intelligence to flag 'inciteful speech.' These critics worry that such monitoring technologies could compromise student safety and autonomy in a volatile conflict zone.
Another key concern among left-leaning observers is the source of the initiative's funding. Hasan has stated that his support is '100 percent Israelis and Jewish people,' which some advocacy groups view as a potential source of ideological bias or external influence that could undermine the local agency of Gaza’s educational institutions.
Iman Balousha, a professor of education and school principal in Gaza, highlighted the systemic scarcity and insecurity defining the local education system. She noted that the desire for stability and opportunity is driving many young people to seek education abroad or online, with some, including her daughter, having left Gaza entirely.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative perspectives, particularly among supporters of the partnership's Israeli-Jewish funding base, emphasize the pragmatic humanitarian impact of the initiative. David Hasan has described his funding as '100 percent Israelis and Jewish people who really wanted to help the kids of Gaza,' framing the effort as a bridge-building exercise that transcends political divides.
Hasan has faced accusations of being an Israeli spy or Mossad agent, particularly after he looked for hostages in hospitals, but he maintains that the service provided by the learning centers has allowed them to operate with minimal interruption. Supporters argue that these accusations are often stirred up by social media journalists who embarrass Hamas.
Supporters of the curriculum’s approach to history note that Hasan teaches both the Palestinian Nakba, involving the displacement of 850,000 Palestinians, and the parallel displacement of 850,000 to 900,000 Jews from Arab countries. They argue this dual narrative fosters necessary empathy and counters the grievance-focused approach often found in traditional Palestinian textbooks.
What the Numbers Show
According to PBS NewsHour, an estimated 22,000 children lost their lives in Gaza during the three-year war. The Gaza Children Village currently serves some 22,000 students in its primary and secondary networks. The University of the People, a nonprofit online school with a quarter-million students globally, has accredited degrees in the United States.
While tuition is free, fees for a bachelor's degree can add up to approximately $5,000, though Gaza students are attending entirely free through scholarships. So far, 250 Gazan students have been enrolled in the online program, with Reshef aiming to enroll up to 10,000. Data from the university indicates that 60 percent of its Afghan graduates work remotely as programmers for international companies, a model proponents hope to replicate in Gaza.
Students face significant logistical hurdles, including unstable internet connections, lack of electricity, and housing insecurity. One student, Ahmed Sabah, noted that he now shares a tent with eight family members, stating, 'You struggle to find electricity... you have to survive first. Then you think to educate yourself.' Hassan Sharif, another student, reported that more than 100,000 students have been prevented from attending face-to-face courses, forcing them to rely on difficult-to-access online alternatives.
The Bottom Line
The partnership represents a critical, albeit limited, lifeline for higher education in Gaza, where physical universities have been largely destroyed or inaccessible. The success of the pilot program, which began with 250 students, will likely depend on the scalability of internet infrastructure and the ability to sustain funding amidst ongoing political volatility.
Proponents argue that U.S.-accredited degrees provide economic mobility and remote work opportunities, similar to outcomes seen in Afghanistan where 60 percent of graduates work remotely. Critics remain vigilant about the ideological and privacy implications of externally funded educational models in a conflict zone.
As Gaza attempts to rebuild, the intersection of international aid, local agency, and digital education tools will continue to shape the future of its younger population, with Shai Reshef viewing the diverse online classrooms as a model for peace where students from conflicting regions study together as peers.