Ariel U hosts families fleeing Gaza periphery

In a press release, Ariel University, located in the northern West Bank city of Ariel, says nearly 100 families who left the Gaza periphery due to ongoing rocket fire are being hosted in the institution as-yet empty student dorms.

“More families are set to arrive in the coming days,” the statement says.

The academic year begins at the end of October, so the dorms are empty and available for the coming weeks.

According to the university, “activities have been arranged for parents and children. The activities include evening camp fires, communal meals, movie screenings, tours of the area and other festivities.”

“Given the dramatic escalation in rocket fire from Gaza in recent days many people have found it difficult to return to their homes. Despite being located 20 kilometers east of the Green Line, the City of Ariel and its 20,000 residents remain largely unaffected by Operation Protective Edge.”