Israeli Strikes Destroyed 216 Heritage Sites in Gaza in “Erasure of Palestinian Narrative

Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Hani Al-Hayek, has accused Israel of carrying out systematic destruction of Gaza’s cultural heritage during the recent military offensive, warning that the damage threatens to erase centuries of Palestinian history and identity.

Speaking to Extra News, Al-Hayek said that 216 archaeological sites out of 316 documented locations in Gaza have been partially or completely destroyed in Israeli strikes.

Among the devastated landmarks is the historic Pasha’s Palace Museum, which Al-Hayek described as a significant cultural institution housing thousands of antiquities. “The museum was directly targeted and completely destroyed,” he said.

Al-Hayek added that the destruction extended to sites listed on the World Heritage Tentative List, such as the ancient Gaza Port and Wadi Gaza. “This reflects a deliberate effort to erase the Palestinian narrative and obliterate our cultural identity,” he said. “Churches and mosques have been targeted; virtually no heritage landmark was spared. This is a systematic assault threatening our historical existence.”

Despite the ongoing conflict and severe conditions in Gaza, the ministry is preparing for the “day after the war.” Al-Hayek said national teams are being formed to survey damage and salvage what remains of the territory’s cultural heritage. He also noted that the ministry has been in contact with international organizations, chiefly UNESCO, urging them to fulfill their obligations to protect heritage sites. Among the sites requiring urgent protection is Tell Umm Amer, also known as the St. Hilarion Monastery.

Al-Hayek further mentioned that attacks on cultural heritage are not limited to Gaza. He pointed to the situation in the West Bank, where the Ibrahimi Mosque (Cave of the Patriarchs) in Hebron has faced attempts to alter its features to suit Jewish religious practices. The ministry, he said, has demanded an immediate halt to these violations through direct appeals to UNESCO.

He also highlighted recent capacity-building efforts for Palestinian heritage professionals, mentioning a workshop held in Cairo last February aimed at training engineers in post-war restoration techniques.