Gaza's Historic Treasures Saved By 'irony Of History'
Sumaira FH Published April 17, 2024 | 12:30 PM
Jerusalem, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Apr, 2024) Gaza's ancient Greek site of Anthedon has been bombed, its "Napoleon's Palace" destroyed and the only private museum burned down: the war has taken a terrible toll on the rich heritage of the Palestinian territory.
But in a strange twist of fate, some of its greatest historical treasures are safe in a warehouse in Switzerland.
And ironically, it is all thanks to the blockade that made life in the Gaza Strip such a struggle for the past 16 years.
Based on satellite images, the UN cultural organisation reckons some 41 historic sites have been damaged since Israel began pounding the besieged territory after the October 7 Hamas attack.
On the ground, Palestinian archaeologist Fadel al-Otol keeps tabs on the destruction in real time.
When he has electricity and internet access, photos pour into a WhatsApp group he set up with 40 or so young peers he mobilised to watch over the territory's vast array of ancient sites and monuments.
As a teenager in the 1990s, Otol was hired by European archaeological missions before going on to study in Switzerland and at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
"All the archaeological remains in the north have been hit," he told AFP by phone from Gaza.
The human toll since the October 7 Hamas attack has been chilling.
A total of 1,170 people were killed in the unprecedented raid on Israel, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
Almost 34,000 have died in Gaza in unrelenting Israeli retaliation, according to the territory's health ministry.
The damage to Gaza's history has also been immense.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
NAB withdraws LNG reference against Shahid Khaqan Abbasi
Mohsin Naqvi to visit Karachi today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 30 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 30 April 2024
Wembanyama in France: NBA Spurs to play Pacers in Paris in January
Russian missile kills two in Ukraine's Odesa: governor
Dutch Embassy celebrates King Willem-Alexander's birthday
Need of concrete steps stressed for safe, nutritious milk availability
Scotland's leader Yousaf quits after a year
Services of GDA Pakistan China Friendship Hospital launched
Mining giants Vale, BHP propose $25 bn settlement over Brazil dam collapse
Georgia ruling party stages mass rally to counter protests
More Stories From World
-
Thunder seal Pelicans sweep to advance as Celtics on brink
9 minutes ago -
Over 120,000 foreign tourists visit Mongolia so far this year
9 minutes ago -
China's factory activity grows for second straight month
1 hour ago -
US, Mexico withdraw joint bid for 2027 Women's World Cup: official
2 hours ago -
Dying salmon trouble Norway's vast fish-farm industry
2 hours ago -
Lewandowski treble fires Barca to Valencia win
2 hours ago
-
Terzic repays Dortmund faith before PSG semi-final clash
2 hours ago -
Nuggets oust Lakers, LeBron in thriller as Thunder seal sweep
2 hours ago -
Gunman kills six in attack on Afghan mosque: govt spokesman
2 hours ago -
At least 25 dead in Peru after bus plunges into ravine
2 hours ago -
New post-Brexit controls: a thorn for UK horticulture
2 hours ago -
Microsoft CEO pledges $1.7 bn AI, cloud investment in Indonesia
2 hours ago