It is estimated that approximately 62,000 to 65,000 lives have been lost in Gaza
due to Israeli airstrikes, a staggering toll that continues to be the subject of
international discourse. However, what remains largely overlooked amidst these
tragic deaths is the simultaneous “cultural homicide” of Gaza’s ancient and rich
heritage. While the death of thousands is mourned, the destruction of the land’s
cultural and historical legacy largely goes unnoticed on the global stage.

The Israeli military incursions into Gaza have not only claimed the lives of innocent
civilians, but have also obliterated the land’s centuries-old cultural and religious
heritage. This is not merely the collapse of buildings and structures, but the
annihilation of the memory and spirit of an entire civilisation. According to
UNESCO reports, over 110 historical and cultural sites have been either entirely or
partially destroyed, including some of Gaza’s most iconic landmarks: the Great
Mosque of Gaza, the Ibn Uthman Mosque (dating back to the 14th century), the
Al-Qissariyya Bazaar, the Pasha Palace Museum, and the Rashad Shawa Cultural
Center.

One of the most profound losses is Gaza’s ancient Anthedon Harbor, a port dating
back to the eighth century BC and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This port, once a thriving center of trade, was also a silent witness to Gaza’s
diverse and rich history. Bombing raids have severely damaged this irreplaceable
site, leaving behind a pile of ruins that no longer echo the busy hum of past
centuries.

Ruins Bear Witness to a Shattered Identity

The destruction of Gaza is not limited to the loss of physical structures. These
mosques, churches, archaeological sites, and cultural centers have long been
central to Palestinian society’s collective memory, identity, and sense of belonging.
When an ancient Christian site such as the St. Porphyrius Church, standing for
over 1,600 years, is attacked, and much of it is reduced to rubble, the damage is
far beyond mere stones. It is an assault on Gaza’s pluralistic heritage, which has
always been a bastion of religious and cultural diversity. Likewise, the Al-Omari
Mosque, Gaza’s oldest mosque dating from the Ottoman period, has sustained
severe damage. This mosque was not just a place of worship but a cultural hub
that served generations of Gazans for centuries.

Destruction of History

The Gaza Strip is considered one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited
regions, with cultural life thriving through the Canaanite, Roman, Byzantine,
Mamluk, and Ottoman periods. Yet, the war that escalated after October 7, 2023,
has shattered this continuity. The Palestinian Ministry of Culture has estimated that
more than 300 heritage sites have been impacted, with 138 of them severely
damaged.

Among these is Gaza’s renowned National Library and Archive, which housed
thousands of ancient manuscripts and historical documents. These invaluable
texts, painstakingly preserved across generations, have now been reduced to ash.
The destruction is not simply that of a building, but the erasure of a collective
knowledge system that connected the present with Gaza’s storied past. Similarly,
the Al-Qamar Theater and Cultural Hall, once a vibrant venue for poets, writers,
and artists to share their work, now lies in ruins. This theater was more than a
building; it was the heart of Gaza’s cultural pulse, where performances, literary
gatherings, and intellectual exchange flourished.

An Organised Pattern?

Experts suggest that this destruction is not merely a byproduct of war but is part of
a deliberate and systematic strategy. The repeated targeting of cultural sites in
Israeli airstrikes suggests a coordinated effort to sever the Palestinian people’s
ties to their heritage and erase their collective memory. This ongoing devastation
is increasingly being described as “cultural genocide” in international discourse.

International law is clear in its condemnation of the destruction of cultural heritage
during conflict. The 1954 Hague Convention, which mandates the protection of
cultural sites in times of war, has been flagrantly violated. UNESCO has
repeatedly issued warnings, emphasising that the attacks on Gaza’s heritage
represent a direct contravention of this convention. Despite these international
calls for restraint, the destruction continues, with each passing day marking the
loss of yet another irreplaceable cultural treasure.

Other Important Sites Destroyed Among the many irreparable losses are:

– The historic mosque of Beit Hanoun, now reduced to rubble.

– The ancient walls and fortifications of Khan Yunis, which have all but
disappeared.

– The Al-Mathaf Hotel and Museum, once a sanctuary for Gaza’s artistic
heritage, has suffered severe damage.

– The Al-Shuja’iya neighborhood, renowned for its historic houses and
cobblestone streets, now lies in ruins.

– Archaeological remains near the Gaza Seaport, believed to date back
thousands of years, have been completely obliterated.

These sites are not mere relics of the past; they represent the collective heritage
of Gaza’s people and, by extension, humanity as a whole. Their loss is a blow not
just to the local population but to the global community, which has a shared
responsibility to protect such treasures.

The Difficult Road to Reconstruction

The challenge ahead will not merely be one of physical reconstruction. Gaza’s
infrastructure has been reduced to rubble, making the process of rebuilding an
almost insurmountable task. The question is not simply one of restoring buildings
but of reviving the cultural memory that has been buried beneath the wreckage.
Many experts suggest that the complete revival of Gaza’s heritage may be impossible. The destruction of priceless manuscripts, rare artifacts, and centuries- old religious objects has rendered their restoration unfeasible.

A Civilisation’s Silent Lament

The tragedy unfolding in Gaza forces us to confront an uncomfortable truth: when
we speak of protecting human life, we must also commit to safeguarding the
cultural life that lies at the very heart of society. Without history and heritage, a
society gradually loses its identity. The cultural loss in Gaza is not just the collapse
of buildings but the obliteration of the very soul of a people.

As Gaza’s children grow up, they will no longer have libraries in which to learn
about their roots, nor will artists have platforms to express themselves. Entire
communities will be devoid of the sacred spaces where they have prayed,
gathered, and socialised for generations. This destruction is not merely the loss of
physical structures; it is the erasure of the collective soul. The world will not easily
forget Gaza’s cultural genocide, for history, in its own time, will hold accountable
those responsible for this act of historical amnesia.

– By Zeb Akhtar