Cultural devastation: Gaza’s historic sites ravaged by Israeli attacks
Gaza (Quds News Network) – Gaza’s rich historical and archaeological heritage has been facing irreparable destruction amid the ongoing Israeli relentless war of genocide sparing nothing across the besieged enclave, including its cultural landmarks.
At least 200 sites have fallen victim to the Israeli machine of destruction, shedding light on the toll the war has taken on the region’s invaluable past.
Church of Saint Porphyrius
On October 19, the renowned Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius, believed to be the third oldest church worldwide, was struck by Israeli bombardment in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood of Gaza City.
The attack not only damaged this historic structure, originally founded in 425 CE but also resulted in the tragic loss of 20 lives, with numerous others injured. The church, housing the tomb of 5th-century Bishop Porphyrius, stands as a significant relic of Gaza’s Christian history.
Hammam al-Sammra: A centuries-old bathhouse vanishes
Situated in the heart of Old Gaza City, the Hammam al-Samara, an ancient Ottoman bathhouse operational for centuries, faced almost complete destruction last December. The loss of this architectural gem adds to the dwindling remnants of Gaza’s Ottoman history.
Al-Saqqa House: 400-year-old landmark erased
Built in the 17th century during Ottoman rule, the Al-Saqqa House in the Shejaiya neighborhood fell victim to Israeli forces on November 9, 2023. Once damaged during the Nakba in 1948, the house had been painstakingly restored, only to meet its tragic end at the hands of ongoing aggression.
Al-Sayid Hashim Mosque: A symbol of Mamluk heritage partially demolished
Situated in the heart of the Old City, the Al-Sayid Hashim Mosque, with roots dating back to the Mamluk era and renewed during the Ottoman Empire, houses the tomb of Prophet Mohammed’s great grandfather Hashim ibn Abd al-Manaf.
Despite being spared during the 2014 war due to international intervention, the mosque now faces partial destruction, marking a severe blow to Gaza’s religious and historical identity.
Great Omari Mosque: Gaza’s oldest mosque reduced to rubble
The Great Mosque of Gaza, also known as the Great Omari Mosque, considered the oldest and largest in the Gaza Strip, bore the brunt of an Israeli airstrike on December 8. The strike resulted in almost complete destruction, leaving only the minaret intact, a devastating blow to the cultural and religious fabric of the region.
