UNICEF distributes 40,000 school bags to children returning to classes in Gaza

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), aiming to give the children of Gaza a sense of stability despite a recent Israeli incursion, today began a weeklong distribution of thousands of school bags as the incursion ended and suspended classes resumed.

"The school bags are a token of support that give a sense of normalcy in the lives of children, a sense of no matter the circumstance, education must continue," the UNICEF Special Representative for the occupied Palestinian territory, Dan Rohrmann, said. "Children's right to education must be upheld."

The distribution of the 40,000 bright blue bags started at schools damaged by the Israeli incursion in northern Gaza earlier this month and would be completed in an area including Rafah by the end of the week, he said.