On 19 October 2023, anIsraeli airstrike hit theChurch of Saint Porphyrius, where 500 people were sheltering.[4] On 8 November 2023, Israel bombed and destroyed the Khalid bin al-Walid Mosque.[5] By 13 November 2023, at least sixty mosques had been destroyed by Israeli bombs.[6] In December 2023, an Israeli bombing destroyed theGreat Mosque of Gaza.[7] At least seven people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on aRafah mosque full of displaced people on 23 February 2024.[8] Five people were killed in a mosque in northern Gaza that was bombed without warning.[9] The al-Riad mosque inKhan Younis was heavily damaged by an Israeli bombing on 9 March 2024.[10] On 24 August 2024, Israeli forces attacked and destroyed a 96-year-old historic Bani Saleh Mosque inKhan Yunis, where they also insulted theQuran and thenset it on fire.[11][12]
By 10 March 2024, more than 1,000 mosques had been destroyed by Israeli attacks.[13] In May 2024, an Israeli bombing on a mosque in Gaza City reportedly killed at least 10 people.[14]
The Israeli invasion of Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023, was triggered by an unusual attack by Hamas. The conflict caused widespread destruction in Gaza, with significant damage to religious sites. According to international humanitarian law, the deliberate targeting of religious buildings during conflict is considered awar crime, unless such sites are used for military purposes.[15]
ThePalestinian Central Bureau of Statistics recorded that there were 1,230 mosques in the Gaza Strip in 2021.[16] According to the Gaza local authorities, 1,000 mosques have been destroyed in Israeli attacks on theGaza Strip since October 7, 2023, with reconstruction costs estimated at $500 million.[17][18][19] Other reports indicate that 378 mosques were targeted during the conflict, although this number has not been independently verified. By January 2024, theBBC had confirmed 72 incidents of mosques being damaged or destroyed between 7 October and 31 December 2023.[15][20]
Reports also stated that three churches were damaged during the conflict. In January 2024, theBBC confirmed two incidents of churches being damaged or destroyed between 7 October and 31 December 2023.[15][20]
List of attacks on mosques
The ruins of the Jaffa mosque in Deir al-BalahThe ruins of Hassan el-Banna mosque in Deir al-Balah Governate
Khalid bin Alwaleed Mosque: This mosque located inKhan Yunis was allegedly targeted by the Israeli army, resulting in considerable damage.[15]
Great Omari Mosque: One of the oldest mosques in historic Palestine, the Great Omari Mosque inGaza City was hit by an Israeli airstrike.[21][22]
Al-Hassan Mosque: Israeli airstrikes targeted the mosque inTuffah, killing 16 Palestinians on 16 November 2023 during dawn prayers.[35]
List of attacks on churches
TheChurch of Saint Porphyrius: Located in Gaza City, considered one of the oldest churches in the world, was hit by an Israeli missile on October 19, 2023. As a result of the attack, 18 people were killed and many were injured.[15][21]
The destruction of religious places has had a profound impact on the local community. As many of these sites served as shelters for displaced Palestinians, their destruction resulted in countless casualties.[40] The loss of these cultural and religious landmarks has been described as a form ofcultural genocide. The damage to these sites has also affected the religious and cultural practices of the local population, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.[15]
Hundreds ofimams and religious scholars have also been killed as a result of the campaign in Gaza. The PalestinianMinistry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs has said that about 300 Islamic scholars, including Quran teachers, Islamic preachers and imams, have been killed in military strikes.[41][42][43][44]
^Werbeck, Nicole; Batrawy, Aya; Kenyon, Peter; Rizkallah, Jawad; Mitre, Estefania; Widyatmadja, Grace (15 October 2023)."Photos: Scenes from the Israel-Hamas War".NPR.Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved18 April 2024.
