Palestinian archaeologists race against time to save Gaza’s heritage

Alongside Israel’s genocide in Gaza, there has been an apparent attempt to erase the Palestinian enclave’s cultural heritage. At least 164 cultural sites in Gaza have been damaged since Israeli military operations began in October 2023 and March 2026, according to UNESCO. Among the ancient landmarks affected in waves of Israeli bombing are the Great Omari Mosque and Hamam al-Sammara, Qasr al-Basha in Gaza’s Old City, and the al-Qarara Cultural Museum near Khan Younis. Among the rubble are precious artefacts and antiquities, which tell a story of Gaza’s rich cultural history, being at the crossroads of multiple empires and peoples over centuries.