Recovery efforts are underway at several heritage sites in the Gaza Strip following two years of conflict. Teams are working to clear rubble and recover artifacts and manuscripts from damaged historical structures, despite significant challenges.### Great Omari Mosque RecoveryThe medieval Great Omari Mosque in Gaza City, the oldest and largest mosque in the Gaza Strip, sustained damage during military operations. The distinctive octagonal minaret and several external walls are among the surviving structures. Work to clear and sort stones has commenced, but full restoration is currently on hold due to restrictions on building material entry into Gaza, which Israel states is in accordance with a ceasefire agreement. Hosni al-Mazloum, an engineer from the Palestinian cultural heritage organization Riwaq, cited challenges including resource scarcity and the use of basic tools for handling 1,200 to 1,300-year-old stones.### Manuscript PreservationHanin al-Amsi, an internationally trained conservationist, is leading efforts to preserve rare ancient Islamic manuscripts recovered from the Great Omari Mosque's 13th Century library. Some manuscripts were retrieved during active conflict by a department member. Following a previous ceasefire in January, Ms. Amsi's team, with funding from the British Council, began recovering manuscripts, initially by hand and later with heavy equipment.Pre-war preservation efforts, including archiving and digitizing works in collaboration with the British Library, contributed to the survival of 148 out of 228 manuscripts, stored in acid-free boxes and iron safes. Ms. Amsi noted that some pieces appeared minimally affected, while others were severely damaged. The library's archive, containing early Islamic works and Ottoman records, is reported to have been entirely destroyed by fire.### Wider Impact and AccusationsUNESCO has verified damage to 145 religious, historic, and cultural sites in Gaza since October 7, 2023, primarily through satellite imagery. Local ground surveys suggest a higher number of damaged sites. Gaza's history spans over 5,000 years, with evidence of numerous past civilizations.Palestinians assert that Israel intentionally targeted heritage sites, which they classify as a war crime. Israel denies these accusations, stating its actions adhere to international law. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) attribute destruction of historical monuments to Hamas, claiming the group operated "in the vicinity of, or beneath, cultural heritage sites." Regarding the Great Omari Mosque, the IDF stated they bombed "a tunnel shaft and terror tunnel."### Pasha's Palace RestorationAt the 800-year-old Pasha's Palace in Gaza City's Old City, teams are removing debris to expose historical features, including a mosaic floor. Issam Juha, director of the Centre for Cultural Heritage Preservation (CCHP), noted the need for basic building materials like cement or lime mortar for interventions. This historic fortress, where Napoleon Bonaparte reportedly stayed in 1799, had been renovated into a museum. Locals report the palace was affected by an Israeli air strike and later bulldozed.Dr. Hamouda al-Dahdar, a cultural heritage expert leading the on-site effort, emphasized the importance of preserving the site, which he described as embodying Palestinian identity. Trained laborers are searching for approximately 17,000 artifacts previously housed at the site. So far, about 30 items, including a Byzantine sarcophagus lid fragment and pottery jars, have been recovered, with most reported as crushed or looted.### Support and AccessThe ongoing work provides employment opportunities in Gaza. Local cultural groups are receiving assistance from international non-governmental organizations. The Geneva-based Aliph Foundation has allocated $700,000 for emergency work in Gaza since 2024. The British Council is supporting partners in conducting new damage assessments.Leading Gazan archaeologist Fadel el-Otol, currently based in Switzerland, reported that many archaeological sites remain inaccessible due to the presence of the Israeli army. He specifically cited Roman cemeteries and the Byzantine Church east of Jabalia camp, located in areas under Israeli control.