On Saturday, the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs in Gaza announced that the Israeli occupation forces have completely destroyed 814 mosques and targeted 19 cemeteries and three churches over the course of one year of what it termed a "genocidal war" on the Gaza Strip.
In a statement marking the anniversary of this devastating conflict, the ministry estimated the total damage at approximately $350 million.
The ministry indicated that 79% of the mosques in Gaza have been destroyed, with 814 out of about 1,245 mosques completely leveled. Additionally, 148 mosques have suffered significant partial damage. Notably, some mosques and prayer areas were attacked while worshippers were present, as was the case with the prayer area at the Al-Taba'in School in Gaza City.
Desecration of Graves
The ministry reported that the Israeli occupation has completely destroyed three churches, all located in Gaza City, and has targeted 19 out of 60 cemeteries distributed across the Gaza Strip. It noted that eight cemeteries were completely devastated, while 11 sustained partial damage.
Furthermore, the ministry condemned the occupation for not only destroying graves but also for exhuming the bodies of martyrs, illustrating its brutality by desecrating the remains of the deceased in barbaric ways.
The ministry's administrative and educational offices were not spared from the attacks, with 11 administrative and educational facilities targeted, amounting to 79% of the total 14 facilities in the region. This included the ministry's headquarters, the Quran Radio Station, the Awqaf Directorate in Khan Younis, the Archaeological and Manuscript Center, the Islamic Awqaf School for Boys, and the College of Islamic Da'wah in the northern region.
According to the statement, 238 employees of the ministry, including preachers and imams, have been martyred, while 19 employees have been detained and are currently imprisoned in Israeli jails.
In conclusion, the Ministry of Awqaf held the Israeli occupation and its supporters fully responsible for targeting women, children, the elderly, places of worship, and cemeteries. The ministry called on the international community, international organizations, and Islamic institutions to take immediate and decisive action to halt the ongoing genocidal war and Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip, demanding accountability for the occupation's actions.
Source: Various News and Online Outlets