Historic Gaza structures damaged amid ongoing war with Israel

BASRA, Iraq — GAZA — Centuries-old buildings in Gaza City's historic center have suffered extensive damage amid ongoing fighting, with large sections of the Great Omari Mosque destroyed and the Pasha's Palace damaged by more than 80 percent, according to local heritage accounts. The mosque's old minaret, arches, domes and western arcade have been damaged, while the Semra Hammam and numerous surrounding historic and archaeological structures have also been heavily affected. Omari Mosque mufti Naim Abu Aoun said the site is the "heartbeat" of Gaza and that most of it has been brought down by the war. UNESCO has documented damage to 164 sites on its cultural heritage list between October 7, 2023 and March 24, 2026, while the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities initially identified approximately 500 affected buildings and areas. Heritage specialists have called for the surviving stones to be preserved and documented, and for the destruction to be recorded for future generations. Historic Gaza served as a crossing point between Asia and Africa and hosted successive civilizations, with sites such as the Saint Hilarion Monastery, known locally as Tell Umm Amer, reflecting the city's layered past. Heritage experts noted that the area's identity is defined not only by its buildings but also by the relationship residents have built with the space over centuries.