Israeli restrictions force shutdown of dozens of educational institutions in southern Hebron

Classes have been suspended at 29 educational institutions in the southern Hebron area; south of the occupied West Bank as a result of the ongoing Israeli military closure, the Hebron Directorate of Education announced on Tuesday.

In a statement, the directorate said teaching was halted at 18 government schools, eight private schools, and three kindergartens after Israeli occupation forces imposed a comprehensive closure on southern Hebron on 19^th January 2026. The measures have severely restricted movement and prevented students and teachers from safely reaching their schools.

The directorate explained that the disruption has extended beyond the directly affected areas, with eight additional government schools in surrounding communities impacted by checkpoints and military roadblocks.

According to official education data, 22.7 per cent of students living in the closed areas have been absent from school, while around eight percent of teachers have been unable to reach their workplaces, significantly undermining the continuity of the educational process.

The closure has also prevented 657 students from attending UNRWA-run schools, in addition to 524 students enrolled in private schools in the area.

Educational sources reported that several schools have been subjected to repeated raids by Israeli forces, accompanied by intimidation and harassment of students and teaching staff, further disrupting the learning environment.

The education directorate warned that the continued military closure poses serious risks to students’ right to education and threatens their psychological and academic stability across Hebron Governorate.