95 Percent Gaza’s Cultural Heritage Crumbles Under Israeli Attacks

SEAToday.com, Jakarta - Israel's indiscriminate and brutal military offensive of dropping thousands of bombs over the past 15 months of its genocidal campaign in the Gaza Strip has destroyed most of the Palestinian enclave's historical and archaeological sites.

In addition to destroying schools, hospitals and residential neighborhoods, the damage to cultural heritage also raises concerns about the long-term impact on the people of Gaza and the world of scientific research.

Many historical sites have been severely damaged by Israel's brutal attacks.

According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), more than 300,000 buildings have been partially or completely destroyed since Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza on October 7, 2023.

The sheer scale of this destruction further strengthens the accusation that Israel is carrying out “cultural genocide” in the region.

Archaeologist Simon Brelaud told Anadolu that he highlighted the systematic destruction of artifacts and historical sites.

Brelaud, who in 2013 worked with a team studying excavated artifacts in Gaza, described the difficulties they faced during excavations.

He also said that his Palestinian colleagues often faced challenges in collecting and documenting their findings.

“Just like most people, I can't get into Gaza,” Brelaud said.

He also explained how difficult it is to document the condition of archaeological sites in the midst of conflict, citing the opinion of historian and archaeologist Hayam al-Betar that 95 percent of historical sites in Gaza have been damaged and completely destroyed by Israel's brutal aggression.

Brelaud further highlighted the damage to a number of archaeological sites in Gaza and Rafah.

“More worryingly, there are reports that Tell es-Sakan, an important site, has been destroyed. In fact, occupation forces reportedly used bulldozers to level the area,” he said.

While some damaged historical buildings may still be restored, Brelaud emphasized that archaeological sites that have been destroyed are irreversible.

He also emphasized the importance of Gaza and its surrounding areas in the history of Palestine and the wider Middle East region. Like its people, Gaza's cultural heritage must be protected and preserved.