In the shadow of ongoing conflict, 19-year-old Malak Ahmed Youssef from Gaza’s Khan Younis holds onto a simple yet profound wish: to experience university life in 2025. The Palestinian-Israeli conflict, now stretching into 2024, has disrupted education for thousands like her, leaving schools shattered and futures uncertain. 🎒💔
Malak was set to begin her freshman year this fall but now spends her days navigating blackouts and shortages instead of lectures. \"I just want to sit in a classroom again,\" she says. \"To study, make friends, and feel safe—that’s what a ‘beautiful’ university means to me.\" 📚✨
Her story echoes across Gaza, where the UN estimates over 45,000 Palestinian lives lost since hostilities escalated. Yet amid the rubble, Malak’s resolve mirrors a broader youth-led demand for normalcy: \"We deserve more than survival. We need dreams.\" 💭🔮
As global leaders debate ceasefires, students worldwide are amplifying calls to protect education in conflict zones. Could 2025 finally bring Gaza’s youth the peace they need to thrive? 🕊️📅
