Gaza City – More than 80 percent of Gaza’s buildings have been damaged or destroyed since the outbreak of war in October 2023, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. The extensive bombardment has turned entire neighborhoods into rubble and obliterated essential infrastructure.
For generations, the enclave's markets, streets, hospitals, schools, and public spaces provided the foundation for daily life. These areas served as hubs for working, studying, socializing, and building collective memories. Many of these locations also held deep historical significance, bearing witness to thousands of years of civilizational crossroads.
UNESCO has verified damage to 164 cultural sites since the conflict began. This toll includes 128 historically or artistically significant buildings, 14 religious sites, nine monuments, eight archaeological locations, two museums, and three depositories of movable cultural property. Notable casualties include the Great Omari Mosque, Qasr al-Basha, the ancient Samaritan Bathhouse, al-Qissariya Market, and the Church of Saint Porphyrius complex.
Comparative photo series illustrate the profound shift in the urban landscape by contrasting pre-war archives with recent images. Gaza's port, historically a vital hub for local fishermen and residents, now features heavy coastline damage and hosts thousands of displaced families living in tents. Al-Rashid Street, the primary coastal highway that was once bustling with hotels, restaurants, and cafes, is similarly impacted.
Cultural and educational institutions have also suffered heavy devastation. The Rashad al-Shawwa Cultural Centre in the Remal neighborhood is in ruins, while Qasr al-Basha, a 13th-century Mamluk palace turned archaeological museum, has sustained severe structural harm. The Islamic University of Gaza has experienced widespread campus destruction, with surviving spaces repurposed as makeshift tent shelters.
Religious and recreational landmarks have met a similar fate. The al-Hasayna Mosque by the port was completely destroyed in November 2023, and the Great Omari Mosque lies largely in ruins, including its historic minaret. Yarmouk Stadium, one of the oldest football venues in the region, is no longer functional and has been converted into a shelter for displaced citizens.
Infrastructure vital to public utilities has also been compromised. Sheikh Radwan Pond, constructed to manage rainwater runoff, suffered drainage system damage that allowed sewage to enter the reservoir, while its surrounding neighborhood faces near-total devastation.