Gaza City: Palestine is witnessing a relentless assault on its cultural heritage for the third consecutive year, as the Israeli occupation intensifies its efforts against Palestinian people, structures, and cultural expressions. Acts of aggression have severely limited cultural activities since the beginning of the year, with more than 898 military blockades and 173 iron gates restricting movement and access.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the devastating impact of the occupation has resulted in the martyrdom of 44 Palestinian writers, artists, and cultural activists in just the first four months of the aggression. Additionally, 32 cultural institutions, centers, and theaters have been either partially or completely demolished. The cultural devastation extends to 12 museums, nine libraries, and eight publishing and printing houses, all damaged in the bombardment.
The Israeli military has targeted 195 historic buildings, predominantly in Gaza City, along with nine heritage sites, ten mosques, and historic churches. Public buildings, statues, artworks, and 27 murals that adorned Gaza's seafront have also been intentionally destroyed.
The occupation forces have shut down two libraries in Gaza and detained their owners, alleging that the books incite against the occupation. Despite these relentless efforts to erase Palestinian culture, the international community has recognized Palestinian talent. Ibtisam Azem won the International Booker Prize for the English edition of her novel, "Safar Al-Ikhtifaa," and Tayseer Khalaf's "Almaseehi Alandalusi" won the international award for the Arab short story in 2025.
Since the start of 2025, the Palestinian Ministry of Culture has released six publications, including poetry, novels, and magazines. Notable releases include a literary magazine titled "Rimal Ramraa" and an anthology "Gaza is There Life Before Death," published by Dar Al-Rafidain.
In neighboring Amman, Al-Ahliya published two books with articles about the ongoing conflict, while the Arab Foundation for Research and Publication issued "Bahmash," which narrates the Palestinian uprising between 2015 and 2016. Researcher Iyad Sabah published "Impact of the Kanaanite Civilization on the Contemporary Palestinian Culture."
The Palestinian film industry has also achieved international acclaim. The documentary "No Other Land" won an Oscar in the 97th edition, highlighting the plight of Palestinians under occupation. Another documentary, "Istirdad Muajjal," directed by imprisoned filmmaker Abdullah Maatan, won an award at the Al-Ard Film Festival in Sardinia, Italy. Additionally, Maha Al-Hajj's short film "Ma Baad" was named the best international short movie at the 47th Clermont Ferrand Film Festival in France.
The Palestinian cultural scene mourned the loss of academic and novelist Ahmad Harb earlier this year. Harb, a respected professor of comparative English at Birzeit University, had published several novels and held prominent positions in academia.