Situated at the junction between Africa and Asia, Gaza is a critical archaeological landscape. But the region’s heritage is currently facing an unprecedented risk of loss.
Alongside the widespread loss of life, homes and livelihoods in the Gaza Strip in the aftermath of the Hamas attack on Israel of October 7 2023, the rich cultural heritage of the region has been laid waste by military strikes and intentional demolition.
As Israeli military attacks continue, it is not possible to provide a definitive assessment. But at present, based on our experience documenting the area, we can confidently estimate that around 50% of heritage sites in the Gaza Strip have been damaged, with many structures near-demolished.
