Minister of Antiquities: Archaeological sites in Gaza have been damaged

Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Hani al-Hayek, revealed that approximately 260 out of 300 archaeological sites in Gaza suffered varying degrees of damage as a result of the Israeli war on the Strip.

In a statement, al-Hayek explained that the ministry has completed a comprehensive survey of the damage inflicted on the cultural heritage in the Strip, noting that the documentation covered all affected archaeological sites, whether they suffered total or partial destruction.

He pointed out that this documentation represents a fundamental basis for any future efforts to restore the damaged sites or to advocate for their protection at the international level. He added that the extent of the losses suffered by archaeological sites in Gaza is unprecedented and affects a significant part of the historical and cultural memory of the Palestinian people.

The Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities accused Israel of implementing what he described as a “systematic policy” to seize control of Palestinian archaeological sites in the West Bank, explaining that these actions aim to impose Israeli sovereignty over Palestinian heritage as a prelude to seizing the land itself. He reported that the archaeological sites of Sebastia and Herodium (Jabal al-Fardis) are under increasing pressure, explaining that Israel has confiscated approximately 2,600 dunams surrounding Sebastia, including the archaeological site and its surrounding lands. He indicated that the real objective is to seize control of archaeological sites as a means to control Palestinian land.

Al-Hayek stated that this policy extends to most archaeological sites in the West Bank, noting that his ministry is working to convey the Palestinian narrative to the world through cultural diplomacy.