# A requiem for Gaza’s iconic sites, destroyed in the war
The stately palace, an iconic landmark that has been a historic site in Gaza City and has been mentioned as the place where Napoleon slept for a few nights, has now been destroyed. The destruction of this and many other cultural heritage sites is said to be one of the crimes against Israel in its genocide case, although the Israeli military claims that they targeted some of these sites because they contained militants and tunnels. The destruction of these historical heritage sites was not individually announced by the Israeli military. As Israeli troops withdrew from parts of Gaza City in recent weeks, residents ventured outside to survey the shattered landscapes. More than half of Gaza’s buildings are estimated to have been destroyed.
The destruction of these historical sites, including the Omari Mosque, which was the oldest mosque in Gaza, and the Samaritan Hammam, a traditional domed bathhouse, reflects a great loss to Gaza’s cultural heritage. The Omari Mosque, which dated back to Crusader times, was struck by the Israeli military to target militants and a tunnel shaft inside. The Samaritan Hammam, initially run by members of the ancient Samaritan religion, was also targeted by the Israeli military, citing militants being based there and using a network of tunnels inside. The destruction of these sites has deeply affected the local residents, many of whom have been unable to witness the aftermath of the war and comprehend the devastation.
Another significant historical site, Pasha’s Palace, originally built by a Mamluk sultan in the 13th century, has also been extensively damaged. The palace, where Napoleon is said to have spent three nights, was a museum displaying Gaza’s archaeological treasures. It represented a time of peace and economic prosperity for Gaza, and its destruction has left a historic void in the city. The historic antiques shop, a stall along a once-bustling marketplace, also lay in ruins, with its unique collection of historical artifacts lost in the debris.
The destruction has not spared Gaza’s revered fish restaurant, Al Salam Abu Haseira, and Beit Sitti, a chic cafe-restaurant nestled in a three-story traditional mansion. The renowned Al-Mathaf Hotel, which means “The Museum,” with its sea views and a resplendent reception area, has been severely damaged. The hotel owner, who left for Egypt, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of historical artifacts and the destruction of a significant piece of history.
The obliteration of these iconic sites has not only caused physical damage but also erased a part of Gaza’s rich heritage, leaving its people heartbroken and grieving the irreparable loss of their cultural identity.
