Palestinians work to salvage Gaza's historic sites amid ceasefire

After a ceasefire halted major operations, Palestinians and heritage teams are assessing damage and recovering artifacts at historic sites including the Great Omari Mosque and the Pasha Palace.

Palestinians and heritage groups are carrying out recovery work at historic sites in Gaza after two years of war and an uncertain ceasefire. The Great Omari Mosque and Pasha Palace are among the damaged sites being examined. Gaza's long history is reflected in buildings that changed hands over centuries, and many residents say those places hold personal and communal memories. With large-scale military operations paused, teams are sifting through damage and cataloguing what remains. Current situation: - UNESCO and the U.N. cultural agency say they have verified damage to at least 150 sites since the start of the war, including religious sites, historic buildings, monuments and archaeological locations. - The Israeli military has said it struck military targets at some heritage sites and has alleged tunnels at the Omari mosque; Gaza officials have denied those allegations. - An independent commission established by the U.N. Human Rights Council reported it found no evidence of a tunnel shaft in the mosque and noted that even a legitimate military objective would not have justified the resulting damage. - Local engineers, museum staff and preservation groups are conducting rescue work at damaged locations such as the Pasha Palace, recovering fragments, documenting losses and storing materials for later study. Summary: The reported damage has removed parts of Gaza's historical fabric and is prompting urgent recovery and assessment efforts by local teams and international agencies. The U.S.-brokered ceasefire stopped most fighting but provides no timeline for reconstruction, and UNESCO continues its assessments. Undetermined at this time.