The Israeli military offensive in Gaza has not only claimed thousands of lives but also wrought devastation on Palestine’s cultural heritage, with 226 archaeological and historical sites damaged or destroyed, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Out of 316 registered heritage locations, 138 have been extensively damaged, 61 partially ruined, and 27 lightly affected, an irreparable loss to Palestine’s ancient legacy.  

UNESCO has verified damage to at least 110 sites, though access restrictions have hindered full assessments. The destruction, condemned as "cultural war crimes" by UN experts, breaches the 1954 Hague Convention, which protects cultural property during conflict. Palestinian officials accuse Israel of deliberately erasing Gaza’s history to sever the Palestinian people’s ties to their land.  

Dr Mohammed Khilla, Gaza’s Deputy Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, stated, “This is not just a war on our present, it is an attack on our past, our identity, and our very existence.” Many sites, some dating back millennia, may never be restored.  

As international calls for accountability grow, the targeting of Gaza’s heritage underscores a broader campaign: the obliteration of Palestinian memory, history, and the right to remain rooted in their homeland.