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More than 40 cultural heritage sites in Gaza have been damaged in the Israel-Gaza conflict, Unesco has revealed.
Lauren Heath-Jones | Planet Attractions | 29 Apr 2024
More than 40 cultural heritage sites in Gaza have been damaged in the Israel-Gaza conflict, Unesco has revealed.
The UN agency is currently unable to carry out on-the-ground assessments, however, preliminary analysis of satellite imagery has verified that at least 43 sites have been damaged or destroyed during the conflict, with 24 buildings of historical interest, 10 religious sites, three monuments, three archaeological sites, and a museum among those damaged.
The true extent of the destruction, however, is likely to be higher with a survey from Heritage for Peace, carried out in December 2024, reporting that more than 100 heritage sites and landmarks have been damaged during the conflict.
“Unesco expresses deep concern about the impact of the ongoing conflict on cultural heritage, particularly in the Gaza Strip. While acknowledging the priority given to the humanitarian situation, Unesco emphasises the importance of considering the protection of cultural heritage,” said a Unesco statement.
“The organisation urges all involved parties to strictly adhere to international law, emphasising that cultural property should not be targeted or used for military purposes, as it is considered civilian infrastructure.”
The news comes after recent reports that the conflict’s death toll has reached more than 35,000 people, the majority of whom are estimated to be women and minors, since beginning in October 2023.
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