In 1977, Gaza Islamic University was established to accommodate the increasing number of high school graduates who could not pursue a university degree within the besieged city. The now biggest university in Gaza, with 21,000 students served before becoming a university as a small Islamic studies college. The university started with three departments: Islamic studies, law, and Arabic language. However, it later grew to cover a wide range of faculties such as education, sciences, engineering, and medicine.
The university has a design that tries to balance contemporaneity and authenticity; however, the attempt was not deep enough. Aside from the arches and the Islamic star found on some buildings, the design is modern. Such an identity could have been better expressed in the layout, building forms, and outdoor spaces.
Unfortunately, the university was a continuous target of Israeli missiles. Despite the UN report finding no connection between the university and military activity, the university was targeted in 2008, 2014, and 2023. Although the damages are unclear yet, the hit seems unrepairable.
We hope to see life back at the university and that students enjoy their college years safe from occupation missiles.