The head of Gaza Municipality said, Wednesday, that Israel destroyed the Central Archives which contained thousands of historical documents dating more than 150 years.
Targeting the Central Archives poses a great danger to the city, as it contains thousands of historically valuable documents for the community. Yahya Al-Sarraj said that these documents … represent an integral part of our history and culture.
The Israeli Occupation targeted many buildings, including large and monumental cultural centers, as well as public parks belonging to the municipality.
Targeting included the Rashad Al-Shawwa Historical Cultural Center, a very important center that includes a theater and a central library, which was targeted without any justification.
The Israeli Occupation also targeted the Palestinian Legislative Council and the memorial monument in the Memorial Park for the (Al-Jundi Al-Majhool) Unknown Soldier.
Al-Sarraj said the attempt by the Occupation to destroy everything beautiful, to erase Palestinian memory, and to impose a policy of obscuring the people, making Palestinian cities uninhabitable.
As part of the targeting of the Palestinian people and everything related to their values, heritage, culture and identity, Israel targeted memorials in several governorates since the start of its war early last month.
This onslaught includes the Memorial of the Martyrs of the Marmara Ship in Gaza Port, the memorial of late journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the Jenin Refugee Camp and the memorial of late President Yasser Arafat in Tulkarm, in the West Bank.
The main library in the Gaza Strip also did not escape the Israeli war machine, which bombed it during raids that targeted Gaza City since the outbreak of the war on 7 October, 2023.
The library, known as the Public Offices Building, is the largest in the Strip, containing historical documents and books.
According to statements made, Tuesday, by the spokesperson for the Gaza City Municipality, Hosni Muhanna, residents of the city consider it the memory of the country and its present.
Lawyers have today written to David Cameron asking the Britush Foreign Office (FCDO) to apply Magnitsky sanctions against Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, and other members of the war cabinet.
It cites evidence of indiscriminate attacks that have caused an unprecedented amount of death, injuries, and damage to civilian infrastructure.
Sanctions against Benjamin Netanyahu are appropriate in his role as leader of the Israeli War Cabinet, which has blockaded the Gaza Strip withholding vital supplies like food, medicine, and fuel, the lawyers highlight.
The Arab Organization for Human Rights has also asked the FCDO to apply sanctions in the form of a travel ban to stop these ministers from traveling to Britain and freeze any assets they have here on the basis that they are involved persons responsible for serious violations of the right to life.
Mohamed Jamil of AOHR said: Netanyahu has turned Gaza from an open-air prison into a mass graveyard where women and children are paying the heaviest price. With over 2 million civilians suffering, it is high time for accountability.
Middle East Monitor / ABC Flash Point News 2023.
Unbelievable attitude ……………time to get those thugs in front of the ICC!