The Palestinian Ministry of Culture reported significant damages to cultural institutions in the Gaza Strip, as a result of the ongoing Israeli military operations since last October.
According to a statement released today, on World Heritage Day, 32 cultural centers, theaters, and institutions have suffered partial to complete damage.
The Ministry highlighted the destruction of 12 museums and the loss of approximately 2,100 traditional garments and embroidery pieces, which were either part of museum collections or owned privately. These losses have been a direct consequence of continuous Israeli airstrikes that have persisted for over six months.
In addition, the Ministry stated that around 195 historical buildings have been demolished, most of which are located in Gaza City.
These buildings included cultural centers and community institutions. Additionally, nine heritage sites, along with 10 historical mosques and churches that are integral to the collective memory of the territory, have also been affected.
Reiterating its appeal, the Palestinian Ministry of Culture has called on UNESCO and other related organizations to establish a United Nations committee to investigate the “legal and humanitarian violations against Palestinian cultural heritage as a part of human heritage.”
This call for international intervention underscores the critical need to protect cultural assets, which are not only valuable to the Palestinian people but are also part of global heritage.
The continued conflict poses an imminent threat to these irreplaceable cultural treasures, prompting urgent calls for protective measures and accountability for their preservation.
