Ramallah, October 08 (QNA) - Two years after Israel's devastating war on the Gaza Strip, the full scope of what observers describe as one of the most extensive acts of cultural erasure in modern history is becoming increasingly clear, as the destruction has not only leveled buildings but also torn through the collective memory, identity, and heritage of an entire people.

Libraries have been burned, museums demolished, and cultural institutions leveled, in what Palestinian officials and rights groups describe as a systematic assault on the cultural and intellectual foundations of Palestinian society, aimed at erasing history and dismantling the cultural identity of Gaza and its people.

Observers note that the Israeli occupation has long pursued policies designed to undermine Palestinian identity and suppress cultural expression, as part of a broader strategy targeting the intellectual and social pillars of Palestinian society. The repeated bombardment of cultural, artistic, educational, archaeological, and religious landmarks across Gaza serves, they say, as a tool for achieving wider political objectives.
Gaza's cultural and historical heritage now faces severe peril amid ongoing destruction and deliberate targeting. The extensive bombing of cultural centers, museums, theaters, art galleries, historical landmarks, public and private libraries, printing presses, publishing houses, and places of worship has drastically reduced the ability of future generations to access their history and cultural legacy.

All of Gaza's museums have been damaged or destroyed during the war. Among them is the National Museum housed in Qasr al-Basha, which contained tens of thousands of artifacts, and the Deir al-Balah Museum, operated by the local municipality. Many collections were either destroyed or looted and later transferred to Israeli museums. The offensive also wiped out dozens of public, private, and university libraries, as well as printing presses and publishing houses, an act cultural experts describe as a deliberate obliteration of Gaza's intellectual record.

The destruction has also extended to hundreds of historical buildings and archaeological sites. According to local heritage authorities, at least 226 archaeological sites have been damaged, including Tell al-Ajjul, which dates back to the Middle and Late Bronze Ages. More than 1,000 mosques were completely or partially destroyed, among them the Great Omari Mosque, one of the oldest and most significant in historical Palestine. Additionally, eight cemeteries, including the Roman Cemetery dating back nearly 2,000 years, were obliterated.

The education sector has faced unprecedented devastation. Around 18,000 students, 750 teachers, and more than 230 university professors have been martyred since the start of the war. Nearly 95% of schools, universities, and kindergartens have sustained damage or total destruction, depriving over 650,000 students of access to education.

The deliberate targeting of Gaza's academics, artists, journalists, and scientists poses a grave threat to its cultural and intellectual future. The loss of these figures -- the very transmitters of heritage and innovation -- together with the destruction of their cultural and educational institutions and means of expression, has severely weakened Gaza's cultural, artistic, and academic foundations. (QNA)