Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli military offensive has not only unleashed violence, genocide, and ethnic cleansing against Gaza’s civilian population but has also systematically targeted historical and cultural landmarks, aiming to erase Palestine’s rich heritage. Among the casualties of this destruction is the iconic "Palace of the Pasha," a 900-year-old monument turned to dust by Israel’s U.S.-supported war machine.  

According to Nermin Khalla, director of the Pasha Palace Museum, Israeli forces have devastated numerous archaeological sites and structures within Gaza’s Old City. The Palace of the Pasha faced two waves of destruction: partial demolition in December 2023 and total annihilation in January 2024.  

Khalla detailed that the palace, originally comprising two main buildings (northern and southern), now lies in ruins, with only a solitary wall remaining. The site, which traces its origins to the transition between the Mamluk and Ottoman eras, served as a central hub for Gaza’s administration for centuries.  

Under British rule, the palace was repurposed as a police station and detention facility. During Egypt’s administration of Gaza, it was transformed into Princess Ferial School, named after the sister of Egypt’s King Farouk. Later, under President Gamal Abdel Nasser, it was renamed Fatima Zahra School, in tribute to the Prophet Muhammad’s daughter (peace be upon him).  

Following the establishment of the Palestinian Authority, the palace underwent restoration in 2005 and was inaugurated as a museum in 2010. It showcased artifacts spanning Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic periods. Further renovations in 2015 preserved its legacy, housing priceless items such as Islamic manuscripts, a Quran, and an ancient Armenian text dating back to 2000 BC.  

Khalla stressed that these historical sites are integral to Palestinian identity, embodying the cultural and historical fabric of Gaza. She condemned Israel’s deliberate targeting of Gaza’s Old City as a calculated effort to dismantle Palestinian heritage and erase collective memory.