# Meet Sabah, the Gaza Girl Who Lost Her Father to War and Secured Top Rank in Palestine's High School Exams

> Despite war, repeated displacement, and losing her father in an airstrike, 18-year-old Sabah Rabah secured first place in Palestine's Tawjihi science exams with an outstanding 99.9% score. Studying amid bombings, power…

Published: 2026-09-14 · Desk: Latest · Source: Jamuna Television

Despite the war in Gaza, repeated displacement, and the heartbreaking loss of her father, 18-year-old Sabah Rabah has achieved an extraordinary milestone. She secured the highest score in the science stream of Palestine's national high school examination, the Tawjihi, earning a remarkable 99.9%.

Just days before her final exam, an airstrike hit a house opposite the tent where Sabah and her family were taking shelter in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp. Forced to flee once again, they left behind the few belongings they had managed to save.

Despite the constant danger and uncertainty, Sabah remained determined to continue her education.

"I scored 99.9 percent and ranked first in the science stream across Palestine," she told AFP.

When the results were announced, family members and neighbors gathered around her in celebration at the refugee camp. Wearing her graduation gown and holding flowers, Sabah stood beside a photograph of her late father. It was a moment of pride, but also one marked by grief.

## Studying Through War

Since the war began on October 7, 2023, Gaza's education system has been devastated. Many schools have been damaged or destroyed, while others have been converted into shelters for displaced families, leaving thousands of students without regular access to education.

This year's Tawjihi exams were held for students in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Egypt, and other locations, marking the first nationwide examination during the ongoing conflict.

Nearly 89,000 students sat for the exams, including more than 25,000 science students. Sabah achieved the highest score among them all.

## Carrying Forward Her Father's Dream

Sabah's father, Fayed Rabah, worked as a teacher at a school run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). He was killed in an Israeli airstrike in June 2024, according to Sabah.

Before his death, the family had already been displaced multiple times after Israeli military operations reached the Al-Maghazi refugee camp. Their home was eventually destroyed in January 2024.

The repeated displacement became so frequent that Sabah says she can no longer remember how many times they were forced to move.

"We were displaced so many times. Our house was destroyed. I lost half of my books, but I never gave up on my goal," she said.

## Studying Without Electricity or Safety

Preparing for the exams was far from easy. Frequent electricity outages and internet disruptions made studying difficult. At times, Sabah had to travel to other areas to attend private lessons and sit practice exams, all while fearing further attacks.

Despite the challenges, she never lost sight of her dream.

Sabah hopes to study medicine and become a doctor.

"My goal is to get into medical school. That was my father's dream for me," she said.

She also hopes to receive a full scholarship to help her pursue her medical education.

## A Family Finds Hope Again

Sabah's mother, Ferial Ahmed Rabah, said her daughter's achievement has brought hope back to a family that has endured immense loss.

She recalled that Sabah often studied by the light of her mobile phone because of power outages.

"This joy is beyond words. I knew she would be among the top students, but I never imagined she would become the top student in all of Palestine," she told AFP.

After months of war, displacement, and the loss of her husband, she said Sabah's success has become a symbol of resilience and hope for their family.

Original reporting: https://www.jamuna.tv/international/660897
HTML: https://tezzfeed.com/latest-news/meet-sabah-the-gaza-girl-who-lost-her-father-to-war-and-secured-top-rank-in-palestines-high-school-exams-1785148793759
Bangladesh desk: https://tezzfeed.com/bangladeshi-news.md
Agent map: https://tezzfeed.com/llms.txt