Gaza (UNI/WAFA) - Today, Thursday, Israeli occupation aircraft bombed the ancient “Othman bin Qashqar” Mosque in the Old City of Gaza City, causing casualties among citizens and causing material damage to nearby homes.
The mosque was founded in 620 AH, and despite its small area, it is one of the oldest mosques and archaeological sites in the Gaza Strip. It is located in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City, and is adjacent to the Great Al-Omari Mosque, which was destroyed by the occupation during this aggression.
Since the start of the aggression on the Gaza Strip on October XNUMX, the occupation has destroyed dozens of archaeological sites and ancient homes, in a blatant deliberate attempt to target the Palestinian cultural heritage.
According to the Ministry of Culture, the occupation aircraft bombed eight museums, including: the Rafah Museum, the Al-Qarara Museum, and the Khan Yunis Museum, in addition to destroying most parts of the Old City of Gaza City, including dozens of historical buildings.
Nine publishing houses and libraries were also destroyed, in addition to a number of cultural centers being completely or partially damaged, of which 21 centers were known. Most parts of the old town of Gaza City were also destroyed, including 20 historical buildings, including churches, mosques, museums, and archaeological sites. 3 studios and media and artistic production companies were damaged.
Among the archaeological sites in the Gaza Strip that were destroyed during the aggression:
Al-Omari Grand Mosque: It is one of the most important and oldest mosques in Palestine, and the first, largest, and most ancient mosque in the Gaza Strip. It is located in the Al-Daraj neighborhood. Date It is large, dating back more than 3 thousand years, and it is adjacent to the historic Qaisariya Market. It is of huge construction, archaeological value, and beautiful shape and geometry. Prayers are held in it and teachers study in it, and next to it is a library full of antiquity..
Church of Saint Porfirio It is also called the “Cemetery Church,” as it is surrounded by a Christian cemetery. It is one of the oldest churches in the world, and is known locally as the “Greek Orthodox Church.” The construction of the church, which is located in the Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza, dates back to the year 425 AD, before it was built. It was renovated in 1856.
Rafah Museum, south of the Gaza Strip: It was a destination for students of the Gaza Strip's long history and heritage.
Mr. Hashem's Palace: It is one of the most important mosques in Gaza City in the Old City, as it contains the tomb of the grandfather of the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, Hashim bin Abd Manaf, whose name is associated with the name of the city.
Al-Pasha Palace: Located in the Al-Daraj neighborhood, it was subjected to Israeli bombing, which led to the destruction of large parts of it.
And Al-Dhafar Al-Damri Mosque: Which is considered one of the archaeological places in the Al-Shuja’iya neighborhood, which was completely destroyed by the Israeli occupation, and the archaeological house of Al-Saqqa, which was built by Ahmed Al-Saqqa in the seventeenth century AD in the year 1661 during the reign of Sultan Muhammad IV bin Sultan Ibrahim, and it is considered the first economic forum in Palestine, and it was destroyed. The first time he was exposed to a shell during the 1948 war.
Byzantine ChurchIt dates back to the Byzantine era, and is located in the town of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip. It was completely destroyed, and it is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in the Gaza Strip, and one of the most prominent landmarks in the Levant in general. It is more than 1600 years old, dating back to the year 444 AD.
The shrine of Al-KhidrIn the city of Deir al-Balah, it was partially bombed. It was the first Christian monastery built in Palestine, by Saint Hilarius, during the Byzantine era, in which he resided until his death. It is the oldest monastery still standing in Palestine.
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