Gaza heritage decimated: Over 200 sites destroyed by IOF

GAZA — On Friday, the Government Media Office in Gaza reported that Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have destroyed over 200 heritage sites out of the 325 in Gaza According to a statement, this includes historic mosques, churches, schools, museums, ancient houses, and various heritage locations. اضافة اعلان

The statement noted that this is a deliberate attempt to erase Palestinian cultural and heritage existence.



Notable targets include the Byzantine Church in Jabalia, Al-Omari Mosque in Jabalia, Sheikh Sha'ban Mosque, Dery Destroyed Al-Zafar Mosque in Shejaiya, Al-Khidr Maqam in Deir al-Balah, and the Balakhia site "Port of Anthedon" northwest of Old Gaza City. IOF also targeted significant sites such as St. Porphyrius Church in the Zaytoun neighborhood, the historic Sqa House in Shejaiya, Tel al-Muntar in Gaza City, Tel al-Sakan in Zahraa, Tiba 86 in Qarara, and Sayyid Hashem Mosque in Gaza City.

Israel's ongoing war on Gaza has resulted in numerous Palestinian deaths and extensive damage to cultural, archaeological, and historical centers, as well as the deaths of numerous intellectuals and artists.https://t.co/XMaBdmjuvc pic.twitter.com/mHf0aAt6oq

— Jordan News (@jordannewsdaily) December 10, 2023

In the statement, it highlighted that the IOF destroyed heritage sites date back to the Phoenician and Roman eras, some 800 years before Christ, 1400 years, and 400 years. It added that the IOF destruction of heritage sites in Gaza constitutes a clear international crime under international laws, especially humanitarian law and the 1954 Hague Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in Armed Conflict. The 1999 Protocol explicitly prohibits intentional targeting under all circumstances of cultural and religious sites.

It added “We call on all relevant international organizations and bodies to condemn this organized crime committed by the Israeli Occupation Forces in Gaza. We urge immediate intervention to stop this crime and work towards rehabilitating and restoring these destroyed heritage and cultural sites.”


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