226 Archaeological Sites In Gaza Strip Damaged During Israel's Aggression

The archaeological site Tell Umm Amer or Saint Hilarion Monastery in the Gaza Strip. (Wikimedia Commons/RIZEK ABDELJAWAD)

JAKARTA - The Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities on Wednesday announced that around 226 archaeological sites in the Gaza Strip were damaged by a direct Israeli attack.

The announcement was issued in conjunction with the Cultural Heritage Preservation Center as part of a report on "The Inventory of Damage and Risk to the Cultural Heritage Site in Gaza", which assesses the damage caused to the site as a result of recent Israeli aggression.

The latest conflict in Gaza broke out on October 7, 2023, when a Palestinian militant group led by Hamas attacked Israel's southern region, which was met with a bombing campaign, military operations, and a blockade by Israel.

Prepared together by 13 Palestinian experts in collaboration with the Oxford University team over a one-year period, the report examines 316 cultural heritage sites in Gaza, which include archaeological sites, heritage buildings, museums, religious buildings, historic burials, cultural tourist attractions, natural sites and historical sites, said Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Hani Al-Hayek, launching WAFA February 5.

Speaking at the ministry's head office in Ramallah, Minister Al-Hayek pointed out the report was based on a thorough field survey of all sites, satellite image analysis, data collection and individual site model creation. The information was then analyzed to assess the extent of the damage.

The report found that of the 316 sites, 138 sites suffered major damage, 61 suffered moderate damage and 27 others were lightly damaged, while 90 others were not damaged.

It is estimated that the budget needed for the recovery of the cultural heritage sector will reach 261.15 million euros, which will be implemented in three stages for eight years.

Phase 1 involves urgent interventions to save and support endangered sites, and requires 31.2 million euros in funds.

Phase 2 involves the intervention needed to restore and rehabilitate partially endangered sites, and requires 96.72 million euros in funding.

Meanwhile, stage 3 relates to the reconstruction of threatened sites, requiring funds of 133.23 million euros.

Minister Al-Hayek said the historic archaeological site was an important part of the history and identity of the Palestinian people on Palestinian soil, adding the occupation, by targeting these sites, deliberately removing and destroying this important part and the basic pillars of the Palestinian national identity.