Since October 7, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have taken a heavy toll, resulting in over 20000 unarmed civillian Palestinian casualties and the destruction of numerous homes, as reported by Gaza’s health ministry. The consequential impact on the region’s rich cultural heritage is staggering.
Heritage for Peace conducted a survey revealing damage to over 100 landmarks, including historically significant sites such as the Great Omari Mosque, one of the most important and ancient mosques in historical Palestine; the Church of Saint Porphyrius, thought to be the third oldest church in the entire world; a 2,000-year-old Roman cemetery in northern Gaza excavated only last year, Notably, the Rafah Museum, a repository of the territory’s heritage, was also severely affected.
“There were priceless items from coins, precious stones, copper plates, clothes,” said Rafah Museum director Suhaila Shaheen, speaking in Arabic in a video interview posted on the museum’s Facebook page amid the rubble of the destroyed space.
Israel contends it targets Hamas, accusing them of operating within civilian areas. Heritage for Peace is committed to monitoring and documenting the condition of cultural landmarks in Gaza, underlining their crucial role in preserving the region’s identity.
In response to these challenges, UNESCO has expressed profound concern about the adverse effects of ongoing conflict on cultural heritage in Palestine and Israel. The organization calls for strict adherence to international law, emphasizing that cultural property should not be targeted, as it is considered civilian infrastructure. However, due to the ongoing fighting, on-site assessments are challenging, and UNESCO is currently relying on remote monitoring through satellite data and information from third parties, which requires meticulous verification.
The Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has not responded to inquiries about the current status of Gaza’s cultural heritage sites or potential salvaging plans. Local authorities are just beginning to assess the extensive damage caused by the conflict.
Gaza City Mayor Yahya al-Sarraj expressed deep concern over the impact on the city’s infrastructure, cultural centers, libraries, and public spaces, highlighting the emotional toll experienced by residents. The situation underscores the urgent need for preserving and protecting Gaza’s cultural heritage amid the ongoing hostilities.
Locals are only now starting to take stock of the damage caused by the present fighting. “When we move around Gaza, we feel very angry and very sad as well,” said Gaza City Mayor Yahya al-Sarraj in a video report by Al Jazeera. “We can discover now how much damage has been inflicted on the infrastructure of the city, on the cultural centers, on the main libraries of the city, and on the public.”
https://x.com/Syribelle/status/1715399407523287435?s=20
Footnotes: https://www.npr.org/2023/12/03/1216200754/gaza-heritage-sites-destroyed-israel