During its recent aggression on the Gaza Strip which commenced directly after the "Aqsa Flood" operation initiated by the Palestinian resistance on the morning of October 7, 2023, the Israeli occupation targeted numerous archaeological sites, historical landmarks, and religious shrines in the Gaza Strip.
Some of the landmarks that suffered either partial or complete destruction include:
Saint Hilarion Church
Located in the Zeitoun neighborhood east of Gaza City, it is the third oldest church in the world, built at the beginning of the 5th century AD. The church's name honors Saint Hilarion, who spread Christianity through the Gaza Strip.
Saint Hilarion died in Gaza and the church houses his tomb; however, his remains were later transferred to his hometown of Thessaloniki, Greece.
The church spans 216 square meters, with walls 1.8 meters thick, and comprises two main sections: the main hall for worshippers that accommodates approximately 500 people, and the sanctuary designated for religious rites.
Built in the Byzantine style, the church's interior, including its vaulted ceiling resting on marble columns, is adorned with images and paintings of significant Christian figures such as Queen Helena. It also features inscriptions and hymns narrating Saint Hilarion’s battles against paganism in Gaza and the spread of Christianity under the Byzantine Empire. Its tower merges with the minaret of the historic "Katib Wilayat" Mosque.
Over time, parts of the church eroded and sustained damage from historical conflicts, including the Mongol attack in 1260 and an earthquake in the late 13th century.
Restoration to its original design was impossible during extensive repairs conducted in 1895 during the late Ottoman period, resulting in the church adopting a ship-like appearance. The stones used for restoration were brought from Istanbul.
On October 19, 2023, the church was bombed by Israeli aircraft during the offensive on the Gaza Strip, resulting in severe damage to its halls and the death of over 20 individuals, with many others injured.
Al-Samra Bathhouse
Located in the historical center of Gaza City, in the Zeitoun neighborhood, this site is second in antiquity only to the Umar Mosque and is the only remaining historical bathhouse in the Gaza Strip. Constructed during the Ottoman era on an area of 500 square meters, it was later repaired and renovated during the Mamluk period, under the rule of King Sanjar bin Abdullah Al-Muayyad, and was named after the Samarians who worked there for some time.
The Samra Bathhouse serves as a therapeutic and touristic attraction, noted for its warm marble floors that resist water moisture. Its architectural magnificence is reflected in the smooth temperature transitions from one room to another, going from cold to warm to hot chambers.
The main hall of Al-Samra Bathhouse features an octagonal water fountain topped by a dome latticed with colored glass (social media sites).
Consisting of several sections, visitors enter through a relatively low doorway leading down stairs to the main hall, which is accompanied by a water fountain, a dome with colored glass allowing sunlight to pass through, and pathways to dressing areas, warm water baths, and a steam room, finally leading upstairs to a view of the domes and firewood used for heating the water.
This historical landmark was almost wholly destroyed by Israeli rockets during the 2023 offensive on the Gaza Strip.
The Byzantine Church
Positioned in Jabalia, north of Gaza City, it was built in 444 AD and named for being constructed during the Byzantine Empire. Historians suggest its primary destruction was due to a devastating earthquake.
Discovered in 1998 during the paving of Salahaddin Street, it was initially covered with sand for protection until resources for restoration and preservation became available. The renovation started in 2017, and in 2022, the Ministry of Culture and Antiquities opened the site as a historical and touristic attraction after the completion of the restoration works.
The Byzantine Church, with an area of about 800 square meters, has three naves: the main nave, the central one for prayer, and the baptismal nave. Its floor contains mosaic panels with geometric patterns and inscriptions narrating life in ancient times. However, most of these pieces were lost due to historical wars.
The church sustained significant damages and structural cracks threatening its foundation when Israeli aircraft targeted it during the 2023 offensive on the Gaza Strip.
Al-Saqqa Historic House
Situated in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood east of Gaza City, it was built in 1661 during the era of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed IV. Constructed by Ahmad Al-Saqqa, one of the major traders then, its structure covers approximately 700 square meters with a two-meter-tall main entrance, an uncovered marble-paved courtyard, a guest room, and other chambers, characterized by stone arches and marble stones with Roman columns.
Used for building the house were the sandstone and sacred stone, and its roof filled with sand and pottery, contributing to a cool summer environment and warmth during winter.
After being damaged by a shell in 1948 and later restored, it remained abandoned for a long period until the Palestinian Authority registered it as an archaeological site with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in 1994.
The house was transformed into a cultural center after its restoration in 2014 but was once again destroyed by the occupation on November 9, 2023, during the offensive on the Gaza Strip, in an attempt to demolish and erase the Palestinian identity.
Sayed Hashim Mosque
Renowned among the historical mosques of the Gaza Strip and located in the Daraj neighborhood at the heart of the old city, it spans 2400 square meters and is about one kilometer from the Great Omari Mosque.
Named after the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad's (Peace Be Upon Him) great-grandfather, Hashim bin Abd Manaf, located in the mosque's northwest side. Hashim would come to Gaza every summer until his death, and he was buried there, making Gaza known as "Gaza Hashim."
Constructed during the Mamluk era, it was renovated in 1930 during the Ottoman period while retaining its Mamluk architecture, housing a large library rich in precious books and a school for religious studies established by the Supreme Islamic Council.
The mosque's layout includes a central open courtyard with three iwans surrounding it and a semi-square main hall roofed with intersecting arches, featuring a qibla-facing mihrab. The pulpit was refurbished in 1850 during the rule of Ottoman Sultan Abdulmecid I.
Built from ancient stones, the main hall was repaired in 1903 due to cracks threatening the structure's stability. A significant portion of the mosque was destroyed by a bomb during World War I in 1917 but was renewed in 1926.
In 2009, the Ministry of Waqf and Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Antiquities in Palestine restored the mosque, reinforcing the minaret due to cracks.
Despite an attempt at destruction during the 2014 war on the Gaza Strip, Sayed Hashim Mosque was spared; however, it underwent partial destruction by Israeli occupation airstrikes during the 2023 aggression on the Gaza Strip.
The Great Omari Mosque
As one of Gaza Strip's oldest and most revered mosques, the Great Omari Mosque is situated in the ancient heart of Gaza City in the Daraj neighborhood. Its foundation dates to the era of Caliph Omar bin Al-Khattab and represents the third largest mosque in Palestine. Initially a Roman temple, it was converted into a church and, after the Islamic conquest, became the largest mosque in the Strip.
Named after Caliph Omar bin Al-Khattab, the mosque covers approximately 4100 square meters and harbors a library with many historical books and manuscripts. It is built from Kerak sandstone and graced with exterior courtyard ornamentation and circular arches.
Reflecting ancient architectural styles, the mosque is encircled by circular arches, central elevated domes, five doors leading out to streets and alleys rich in history, and is adorned with a minaret displaying diverse Mamluk architectural ornamentation, square on the lower half and octagonal on the upper, structured in four levels.
The mosque was heavily damaged in an Israeli airstrike on December 8, 2023, during the offensive on the Gaza Strip, following prior partial destruction by Israel during the 2014 war on Gaza.
