THE Great Mosque in Gaza City it was built in the 5th century as a church by the Byzantines. then it became a mosque and church again, dedicated to John the Baptist, by the Crusaders, in the 12th century. The attached library held thousands of books,including ancient medical manuscripts and copies of the Koran. On December 8, an Israeli air strike completely destroyed it. Israel says there were hamas tunnels underneath.
Since the start of the all-out war in Gaza on october 8, Israeli planes, tanks and soldiers have damaged or destroyed at least 75 of the 120 cultural sites in Gaza analyzed via satellite by UNESCO.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has prepared a report assessing damage to cultural properties in Gaza. He had to do it remotely, according to the satellite images of UNITAR/UNOSAT, “as field assessment is impossible in the current circumstances”.
The result is devastating. As of November 29 this year, UNESCO certified as of October 7, 2023 that 10 religious centers have been devastated in the Strip, 48 buildings of historical or artistic valuesix monuments, a museum and seven archaeological excavations.
The territory now occupied by Gaza has been inhabited as before the 15th century BC, when it was controlled by the Egyptian pharaoh. Thutmose III.As then the area has been part of the Mediterranean routes and the different civilizations have left remains and monuments.
Universities and libraries
the Israeli army deliberately destroys part of Gaza’s cultural heritage. In one video, an Israeli soldier is seen smiling at the camera and blowing up a university. “There will be no more engineers in Gaza”he says after pressing the button that explodes the foundations of the educational institution. Why does the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) destroy civilian buildings in the Strip in their war against Hamas?
Damaged cultural heritage includes, among others, a ancient port from 800 BCone of the oldest Christian monasteries in the area and a mosque that contained unique manuscripts. Also Roman cemeteries. The al-Amin Muhammad Mosque, for example, was massacred by an Israeli shelling from Khan younis on October 8, 2023. it was a large religious building with four minarets and several turquoise domes. There are also several destroyed tell (historic mounds).
The Rafah museum contained, before being blown to pieces by the Israeli air force, a collection of ancient coins, copper plates and jewels.It was the main museum in Gaza. the same fate befell Jan Younis’ Al Qarara museum.He had a collection of 3,000 objects from the bronze Age and the canaanitesthe civilization that lived in Gaza and parts of the Levant during the 2nd century BC
The Rome Statute of 1998, which governs the International Criminal Courtconsiders “attacks against buildings dedicated to religion, education, art, science, charitable functions or historical monuments” to be a war crime. It refers to the Additional Protocols to the 1977 Geneva Convention. South Africa included evidence of the destruction of cultural heritage in Gaza in its genocide charge against Israel before the International Court of Justice. The case was admitted as there are indications of “plausible genocide” in Gaza.
The figures could be much higher than those provided by UNESCO. A investigation by the Qatari channel Al Jazeeracreated in the first 100 days of the war, it tells of almost 200 places of historical importance destroyed or damaged by air attacks in the Palestinian enclave. We talk about “cultural genocide”.
The chain aims to destroy the cultural center Rashad El Shawaa notably symbolic place: in 1990 peace talks took place there between the then leader of the Palestinian National Authority, yasser Arafat, and the president of the United States, Bill Clinton.
What role does UNESCO play in protecting cultural heritage during conflicts?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Cultural heritage Expert Dr. Lena Al-Mansour
Time.news Editor: Welcome, dr. Al-Mansour. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent destruction of the Great Mosque in Gaza City and the broader impact on cultural heritage in the region.
Dr. Lena Al-mansour: Thank you for having me. It’s a privilege to discuss such an critically important topic, especially during such a critical time.
Editor: the Great Mosque has a rich history, originally built as a church in the 5th century. Can you elaborate on it’s significance before its destruction?
Dr. Al-Mansour: Certainly! The Great Mosque is a symbol of the region’s diverse religious history. It was initially a Byzantine church and later transformed into a mosque and church again during the Crusader period. This layered history speaks to the coexistence of various cultures and faiths in Gaza over the centuries, making it a valuable site of cultural heritage.
Editor: Absolutely. The destruction of such a historically notable site is heartbreaking. Israeli airstrikes on December 8 reportedly targeted it because of alleged Hamas tunnels beneath. How do we reconcile military actions with the preservation of cultural heritage?
Dr. Al-Mansour: That’s a challenging question. While states have a right to protect thier citizens, it raises serious ethical issues when military strategies result in the loss of irreplaceable cultural heritage. The Great Mosque was not only a religious site but also a repository of knowledge, with an attached library that held ancient medical manuscripts and copies of the Koran. The loss of such resources is a tragedy beyond the physical destruction of the building.
Editor: UNESCO has reported that at least 75 of the 120 cultural sites in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed since the war began. What does this mean for the preservation of cultural heritage?
Dr. Al-Mansour: The scale of destruction is alarming.Cultural heritage sites are not only physical structures; they embody the identity and history of communities. Their loss can have long-term psychological impacts on the people. Additionally,it hampers future generations’ ability to connect with their histories.UNESCO’s report underscores the urgent need for protection measures, even amid conflict.
Editor: It truly seems assessing damage through satellite images,as UNESCO has done,is a necessity due to the impossibility of field assessments.How effective is this method?
Dr. Al-Mansour: Using satellite imagery is a vital tool for remote assessments, though it has limitations. While it can provide a clear picture of what has been destroyed or damaged, it doesn’t capture the full context of each site’s significance or the nuances of cultural loss. Field assessments are ideal, but in conflict zones, safety is a primary concern. We need a dual approach that prioritizes safety while also documenting and preserving cultural heritage.
Editor: Your insights are invaluable, Dr. Al-Mansour. As we face ongoing conflicts, what can the international community do to better protect cultural heritage sites?
Dr. al-Mansour: The international community must enforce stricter protections under international law. This includes holding accountable those who intentionally target cultural sites and providing support for infrastructure that can definitely help protect these sites during conflicts. Additionally, promoting awareness of the importance of cultural heritage in peacebuilding efforts can foster greater respect for these sites, even amidst tension.
Editor: Wise words indeed. Thank you for shedding light on such an urgent and complex issue. We hope for the preservation of what remains and for peace in the region.
Dr. al-Mansour: Thank you for having me. it’s essential that we continue to talk about and advocate for the protection of cultural heritage, even in the direst circumstances.