In yet another devastating blow to the Palestinian people, the Israeli occupation stands accused of waging a war on history in Gaza. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, 226 archaeological and cultural sites have been either completely or partially destroyed out of 316 officially registered locations.
A report published in February 2025 revealed that 138 sites sustained extensive damage, 61 were partially affected, and 27 suffered minor harm. These alarming figures emerge in the context of an Israeli assault that has spared neither lives nor landmarks, deliberately targeting the region’s cultural and historical fabric in what is widely seen as an effort to erase Palestinian national identity and collective memory.
This destruction, which includes ancient monuments and centuries-old cultural sites, has been described by international observers as a form of cultural warfare. Previous reports by the United Nations confirmed that Israel is committing “cultural war crimes” by attacking heritage sites in clear violation of international law, particularly the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.
In response to the ongoing devastation, both local and international organisations have issued urgent appeals for immediate action to safeguard what remains of Gaza’s heritage. There are growing calls for the Israeli government to be held accountable before international tribunals for these acts, which are viewed not only as assaults on structures but on the cultural soul of a people.
This campaign of destruction targets more than buildings. It strikes at the very heart of Palestinian identity. Heritage sites are not simply stones and ruins. They are witnesses to ancient civilisations and enduring proof of the Palestinian people’s deep-rooted connection to their land.
UNESCO has been conducting assessments of the destruction. However, due to limited access on the ground, it was only able to verify damage to 110 sites as of 27 May 2025.
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities warned that while some sites may be restored over the coming years, others are lost forever. The damage amounts to an irreplaceable cultural catastrophe with consequences that cannot be undone.
Dr Mohammed Khilla, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Antiquities in Gaza, stated in earlier press comments:
“What is happening in Gaza is not merely a military assault. It is a deliberate campaign of cultural erasure that targets Palestinian memory, history, and identity. The occupation is seeking to destroy everything that ties Palestinians to their land. Even the stones have not been spared.”
In Gaza, the Israeli offensive extends beyond homes and lives. It is an assault on the very memory of a people. With every bombardment, it is not only structures that collapse, but chapters of an ancient and resilient history that are being wiped away.
