Protection of Historical Monuments in Palestine and UNESCO Decision
According to the press office of the Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Hani al-Hayiq, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee took an important decision at its 46th session held in India. During this session, the Monastery of St. Hilarion, located in the central Gaza Strip, was included in UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger.
The statement emphasized that the St. Hilarion Monastery is an integral part of Palestinian history. This decision is considered as a result of the efforts of the Palestinian Authority to protect the historical and cultural heritage in the Gaza Strip. However, the genocidal war that Israel has been waging in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023 has caused great damage to historical and cultural monuments.
The Monastery of St. Hilarion is one of the oldest historical structures in Gaza, having been built in 329 AD. The Media Office of the government in Gaza reported in a written statement on December 30, 2023, that more than 200 of the 325 historical and cultural sites in the region were destroyed due to Israeli attacks on Gaza.
- Al-Omari Mosque in Jibaliya
- Cibaliya Byzantine Church
- Sheikh Shaban Mosque
- Zafr Demir Mosque in Shujaiyya Neighborhood of Gaza City
- Al-Khidr Maqam in Deir al-Balah
- Khalil al-Rahman Mosque in Khan Younis
- The Manuscripts Center in Gaza City
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has killed at least 39,175 Palestinians, including 16,172 children and 10,798 women, and injured 90,403 people in its attacks on the Gaza Strip. This shows how human life, as well as the historical and cultural heritage in the region, are in danger.
