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Attacks on religious sites during the Israeli invasion of Gaza

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The Israeli invasion of Gaza, which began as a result of the Israel–Hamas war on 7 October 2023, has resulted in significant destruction and damage to numerous religious sites including mosques and churches.[1][2][3]

Mosque destroyed by an Israeli bombing in Khan Younis

On 19 October 2023, an Israeli airstrike hit the Church of Saint Porphyrius, where 500 people were sheltering.[4] On 8 November 2023, Israel bombed and destroyed the Khalid bin al-Walid Mosque.[5] By 13 November 2023, at least sixty mosques had been destroyed by Israeli bombs.[6] In December 2023, an Israeli bombing destroyed the Great Mosque of Gaza.[7] At least seven people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a Rafah mosque full of displaced people on 23 February 2024.[8] Five people were killed in a mosque in northern Gaza that was bombed without warning.[9] The al-Riad mosque in Khan Younis was heavily damaged by an Israeli bombing on 9 March 2024.[10] On 24 August 2024, Israeli forces attacked and destroyed a 96-year-old historic Bani Saleh Mosque in Khan Yunis, where they also insulted the Quran and then set it on fire.[11][12]

By 10 March 2024, more than 1,000 mosques had been destroyed by Israeli attacks.[13] In May 2024, an Israeli bombing on a mosque in Gaza City reportedly killed at least 10 people.[14]

Background

The Israeli invasion of Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023, was triggered by an unusual attack by Hamas. The conflict caused widespread destruction in Gaza, with significant damage to religious sites. According to international humanitarian law, the deliberate targeting of religious buildings during conflict is considered a war crime, unless such sites are used for military purposes.[15]

According to the Gaza local authorities, 1,000 mosques have been destroyed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, with reconstruction costs estimated at $500 million.[16][17][18] Other reports indicate that 378 mosques were targeted during the conflict, although this number has not been independently verified. The BBC has confirmed 72 incidents of mosques being damaged or destroyed between 7 October and 31 December 2023.[15][19]

Reports also stated that three churches were damaged during the conflict. The BBC has confirmed two incidents of churches being damaged or destroyed between 7 October and 31 December 2023.[15][19]

List of attacks on mosques

List of attacks on churches

Impact

The destruction of religious places has had a profound impact on the local community. As many of these sites served as shelters for displaced Palestinians, their destruction resulted in countless casualties.[35] The loss of these cultural and religious landmarks has been described as a form of cultural genocide. The damage to these sites has also affected the religious and cultural practices of the local population, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.[15]

Hundreds of imams and religious scholars have also been killed as a result of the campaign in Gaza. The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs has said that about 300 Islamic scholars, including Quran teachers, Islamic preachers and imams, have been killed in military strikes.[36][37][38][39]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Israel-Gaza war: Counting the destruction of religious sites". BBC News. 30 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Claim 22: Israel damages Palestinian holy sites Archives".
  3. ^ "Bombardment of the Houses of Worship by the Israeli Occupation an Extension to Attacking These Places by the Terrorism and Extremism Forces | Human Rights and Democracy Media Centers SHAMS".
  4. ^ AbdulKarim, Fatima; Deng, Chao. "Blast Goes Off at Orthodox Church Campus in Gaza". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  5. ^ "People Sift Through Rubble After Strike on Mosque in Khan Yunis". Yahoo! News. 8 November 2023. Archived from the original on 11 November 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  6. ^ "At least 60 mosques 'destroyed' in Israel's Gaza airstrikes". The Times of India. 13 November 2023. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  7. ^ Estrin, Daniel (9 December 2023). "Israeli strike leaves Gaza's oldest mosque in ruins". NPR. Archived from the original on 19 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  8. ^ Yazbek, Hiba; Fuller, Thomas (23 February 2024). "Israel Steps Up Attacks in Gaza Amid Cease-Fire Talks". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  9. ^ "At least five killed in Israeli bombing of mosque in north Gaza". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  10. ^ "Israel targets mosque in Gaza's Khan Younis". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 11 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  11. ^ "Hamas urges condemnation over Quran burning by Israeli soldiers".
  12. ^ "جريدة القدس".
  13. ^ "Palestinians pray in reduced spaces as more than 1,000 mosques destroyed by Israel". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 13 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  14. ^ "Israeli forces kill 10 Palestinians in attack on mosque in Gaza City". MSN. Archived from the original on 28 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  15. ^ a b c d e f "Israel-Gaza war: Counting the destruction of religious sites". 30 January 2024.
  16. ^ "1,000 mosques destroyed in Israeli onslaught on Gaza, local authorities say".
  17. ^ "1,000 mosques destroyed in Israeli onslaught on Gaza, local authorities say – Middle East Monitor".
  18. ^ "1,000 mosques destroyed in Israeli onslaught on Gaza, local authorities say | New Straits Times". 22 January 2024.
  19. ^ a b "In total violation of the rules of war, Israel targets dozens of mosques, churches in Gaza [EN/AR] - occupied Palestinian territory | ReliefWeb". 9 November 2023.
  20. ^ a b "More than 100 Gaza heritage sites have been damaged or destroyed by Israeli attacks". 3 December 2023.
  21. ^ https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2024-05/2024%20Protection%20of%20Religious%20Sites%20during%20Armed%20Conflict.pdf
  22. ^ "Destruction of cultural heritage during the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip".
  23. ^ Erden, Bora; Bowley, Graham; Safie, Tala (28 May 2024). "Gaza's Historic Heart, Now in Ruins". The New York Times.
  24. ^ "Israel targeting Gaza's history, destroying ancient mosques, churches – Middle East Monitor".
  25. ^ Saber, Indlieb Farazi. "A 'cultural genocide': Which of Gaza's heritage sites have been destroyed?". Al Jazeera.
  26. ^ a b c Farazi Saber, Indlieb (14 January 2024). "A 'cultural genocide': Which of Gaza's heritage sites have been destroyed?". aljazeera.
  27. ^ a b "Before and after images show Gaza mosque devastation". CNN. 10 October 2023. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  28. ^ Werbeck, Nicole; Batrawy, Aya; Kenyon, Peter; Rizkallah, Jawad; Mitre, Estefania; Widyatmadja, Grace (15 October 2023). "Photos: Scenes from the Israel-Hamas War". NPR. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  29. ^ "Aggression on Gaza enters 175th day".
  30. ^ Beaule, Victoria (25 January 2024). "As Israel warned Gaza civilians to evacuate, IDF bombs struck city described as sanctuary". ABC News. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  31. ^ "Mosque in central Gaza destroyed in Israeli attacks". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  32. ^ "Gaza parish priest: 'I knew victims of attack on Catholic church' - Vatican News". 18 December 2023.
  33. ^ "Bombing of Gaza has damaged or destroyed more than 100 heritage sites, NGO report reveals". 28 November 2023.
  34. ^ "Historic Gaza monastery added to Unesco's world heritage in danger list". The Art Newspaper - International art news and events. July 29, 2024.
  35. ^ "'Destroying our past': Israel's bombing erases Gaza's religious and cultural heritage".
  36. ^ "Israel kills scores of imams offering message of hope and patience in Gaza". Middle East Eye.
  37. ^ "Israel kills hundreds of imams in Gaza".
  38. ^ Khan, M. (December 31, 2023). "Former Imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque martyred in Israeli attack".
  39. ^ Rights, Al Mezan Center for Human. "Al Abbas Mosque Imam killed in Gaza". Al Mezan Center for Human Rights.
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