More than 600,000 Palestinian children in Gaza have missed the past two years of school.

Instead of studying and socialising, they have been repeatedly displaced, fled air raids and shelling, and often spent their days searching for water and food for their families.

With the ceasefire reached last month largely holding, humanitarian officials are now working frantically to reopen dozens of makeshift schools.

UNICEF spokesman John Crickx said it is critical for children to return to classes as soon as possible, not just for basic education, but also for their mental health.

UNICEF estimates that more than 630,000 Palestinian children missed out on school during Israel’s war on Gaza. So far, only about 100,000 children have been able to return, Crickx said.

Separately, UNRWA, the UN ag

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