The presidents of three universities in Gaza say Israel is waging a systematic war on the territory’s higher education infrastructure, and have appealed to the international academic community for support, Al Jazeera reports.

In a joint statement, the presidents of al-Aqsa University, al-Azhar University – Gaza, and the Islamic University of Gaza accused Israel of “scholasticide — a systematic and deliberate attempt to eliminate our universities, their infrastructure, faculty, and students”.

“This destruction is not collateral,” the statement said. “It is part of a targeted effort to eradicate the foundations of higher education in Gaza — foundations that have long stood as pillars of resilience, hope, and intellectual freedom under conditions of occupation and siege.”

The statement said that despite the Israeli assault, universities were working to continue their mission “under unimaginably harsh conditions.”

“Constant bombardment, starvation, restrictions on internet access, unstable electricity, and the ongoing horrors of genocide have not broken our will.”

The statement called on the academic community internationally to support the universities by calling for a ceasefire, supporting efforts to continue teaching and researching, partnering with universities in Gaza and committing to their long-term rebuilding.