Schools at risk in West Bank - A Risk Assessment Based on Geopolitical and Legal Vulnerabilities - West Bank, Occupied Palestinian Territory

Objectives

This assessment aims:

• To better understand the vulnerability of schools in the West Bank based on their location and legal status, particularly in areas classified under Area C as per the Oslo Agreements.
• To inform planning and prioritization within education response efforts, supporting the strategic allocation of resources to schools most at risk in the West Bank.
• To highlight the structural and legal risks faced by Palestinian schools, raising awareness among international community, humanitarian actors and donors about the urgent need for protection and long-term learning continuity.
• To contribute to evidence-based advocacy efforts, by providing data-driven insights into how demolition orders and other military order impact access to safe education.

Methodology

This assessment used both spatial and legal analytical methods to evaluate the risk to schools in the West Bank, focusing on geopolitical context and confirmed legal threats. The analysis considered each school’s location—particularly in Area C—and the presence of officially issued demolition orders.

The following steps were undertaken:

1. School Location Data Collection: The geolocations (GPS coordinates) of all schools in the West Bank were obtained from the Ministry of Education (MoE) as point data.
2. School Site Delineation: Microsoft Building Footprints were used to spatially identify the physical structures associated with each school. This enabled the creation of school site polygons, linking spatial features—such as buildings, schoolyards, walls, etc—to each school point.
3. Order and Planning Verification: A GIS specialist assessed each school site polygon against demolition orders from the Israeli Civil Administration (obtained in November 2024) and Master Plans to evaluate legal and planning status. Sites were reviewed to identify pending demolition actions, determine whether they fall within approved planning boundaries, and establish the period during which buildings were constructed.
4. Geopolitical Zoning Analysis: The location of each school was analyzed in relation to the West Bank’s administrative divisions under the Oslo Accords (Areas A, B, and C), with a particular focus on schools located in Area C and other zones with restricted access.
5. Risk Categorization: Schools were classified into risk levels based on their exposure to demolition orders, legal status, and geopolitical location.
6. Data Validation: Results were cross-validated using data from the education cluster, local authorities, humanitarian partners, and legal experts.