Israel-Hamas war sends shock waves through scientific community

Shock waves from the war between Israel and Hamas are rocking the scientific community in the region and around the world. In Israel, universities are mourning scientists and others killed in the 7 October surprise attack by Hamas militants. Hamas, widely considered a terrorist organization, rules the Gaza Strip. Academic laboratories are emptying as foreign graduate students return home and young academics report for military service. Some science continues, says Asher Cohen, president of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI), but “we cannot maintain full research facilities.” In the Gaza Strip, researchers say many of the Palestinian enclave’s few and already beleaguered scientific institutions have been damaged by Israeli air attacks, and scientists are struggling to find safe havens. “The priority isn’t science—the priority is staying alive,” says Marwan Awartani, president of the Palestine Academy for Science and Technology, which is based on the West Bank. Elsewhere, the war is forcing research funders to remake plans. Yesterday, for example, the European Commission announced it would be giving all applicants an additional week or more to complete upcoming requests to several major grant programs. “We offer our support to those affected by the recent hostilities,” Iliana Ivanova, the European commissioner for innovation, research, culture, education and youth said in a statement. Israel declared war on Hamas on 8 O...
Source: Science of Aging Knowledge Environment - Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research