Gaza students with overseas university offers, scholarships remain trapped

What the report says

Gaza students who won overseas university places and scholarships are still unable to leave the enclave as the new academic year begins, according to Al Jazeera. The report focuses on Palestinian students, including Mahmoud Aldaya, a 24-year-old Gaza University graduate who secured a scholarship at the University of Limerick in Ireland but was refused a visa in August and remains in Gaza City amid ongoing Israeli attacks and severe restrictions on movement.

Al Jazeera said dozens of students with offers from Irish universities have been denied entry this year. Data from Ireland’s Department of Justice cited in the article shows 103 Palestinian long-stay study visa applications had been refused by August 21, while 39 were approved. The newspaper reported that students and lawyers say the visa process is particularly hard to complete from Gaza because applicants must produce certified bank records, educational documents and other evidence despite widespread destruction and disruptions to banking and postal services.

The refusals are being challenged in Ireland’s High Court by students represented by Phoenix Law, a human rights firm. One student from Khan Younis told Al Jazeera she had been devastated by a visa refusal despite securing a scholarship, though she later raised more funds with help from supporters in Ireland. The report said similar barriers are affecting Palestinian students seeking to study in other countries, including Canada, Belgium and the United States, where administrative and travel restrictions have also complicated departures from Gaza.