SAFA-  Israeli occupation forces have resumed direct attacks on mosques across the Gaza Strip, striking some of the few remaining places of worship that survived the Israeli genocide, according to officials in Gaza, who say the attacks are part of a broader effort to erase the territory’s religious and cultural identity.

Despite the ceasefire, Israeli aircraft struck Al-Muttaqeen Mosque in Gaza City two days ago, adding it to a growing list of mosques targeted since military operations were officially halted. 

Other recently hit mosques include Hassan Al-Banna Mosque in Gaza City’s Al-Zeitoun neighborhood, Al-Huda Mosque in Khan Younis, and Al-Farouq Mosque in the Nuseirat refugee camp.

The Gaza Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs said many mosques have become more than places of worship since the ceasefire, serving as shelters for displaced families, aid distribution points, and community service centers. Officials said attacks on these sites further undermine essential civilian infrastructure and weaken social support networks across the Strip.

Only 34 Mosques Remain Intact

Ikrami Al-Mudallal, spokesperson for Gaza’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, said Israel is seeking to destroy what remains of Gaza’s mosques. Before the Israeli genocidal war, the ministry recorded 1,275 mosques across the territory.

According to Al-Mudallal, 1,076 mosques have now been completely destroyed, up from 1,073 previously, while 165 others have sustained partial damage. He added that two mosques previously classified as partially damaged were recently reduced to total destruction, leaving only 34 mosques largely intact across Gaza, all of which have sustained minor damage.

Al-Mudallal said the attacks are “not random” but aimed at erasing the religious identity that forms a central part of Palestinian society. He also warned that targeting mosques seeks to weaken public morale by destroying institutions that play key educational, social, and humanitarian roles.

He added that the renewed strikes send a message to residents that “no place in Gaza is safe.”

Ismail Al-Thawabta, Director General of Gaza’s Government Media Office, said continued attacks on mosques after the ceasefire took effect constitute a serious violation of the agreement and demonstrate Israel’s intention to continue the Gaza genocide and destroy civilian infrastructure.

Speaking to Safa News Agency, Al-Thawabta said attacks on places of worship constitute war crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. He added that such attacks also violate Article 53 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, as well as the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property.

Al-Thawabta said the continuation of such attacks during the ceasefire increases legal responsibility under international law. He held Israel and the United States administration responsible for the alleged violations and called on the UN Security Council and the international community to intervene to stop what he described as repeated breaches of the ceasefire.

He also urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League to take action and called on legal experts to document the attacks for future proceedings before the International Criminal Court.