Hamas Appeals to UNESCO to Preserve Destroyed Gaza Mosque
Hamas claims that Israel has bombed the Great Omari Mosque in Gaza, reducing it to rubble and leaving only the minaret standing. They have called on UNESCO to protect historic buildings in the besieged Palestinian territory. The Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities estimates that 104 mosques have been destroyed since the start of the Israeli assault on Gaza. Palestinians have expressed outrage, accusing Israel of trying to erase their memories. The destruction also includes other heritage sites such as the Othman bin Qashqar Mosque and the last Turkish-style bath in Gaza. Israel has been bombing Gaza since October 7, resulting in the deaths of over 17,000 Palestinians and significant damage to architectural heritage sites.