Archive · 16 Sep 2025
Gaza Artifacts Saved in Frantic Rescue Mission
Imagine a building in Gaza City with really old treasures, like pottery and mosaics, that tell us about history.
The building was going to be bombed, so some helpers had to quickly move all the treasures to keep them safe.
They spent hours talking to the Israeli military, trying to get permission to move the items.
With trucks and fuel hard to find, they packed everything in cardboard boxes in a rush.
Some things broke on the way, but most were saved.
The treasures are now in a safer place, but still in danger, and the original building was destroyed.
Aid workers rescued artifacts from a warehouse in Gaza City to save them from demolition.
The artifacts, from over 25 years of excavations, include items from a 4th-century Byzantine monastery and evidence of Christianity.
The Israeli military planned to demolish the building, alleging Hamas intelligence installations were housed there.
Workers negotiated with the Israeli military, and transported the artifacts to a safer location in Gaza.
Over 110 cultural sites in Gaza have been damaged by Israeli actions since October 2023.
- Who
- Aid workers from PUI and Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
- What
- Rescued ancient artifacts from a Gaza warehouse before it was demolished.
- When
- Last week, after being notified on Wednesday and completing rescue on Thursday.
- Where
- Gaza City.
- Why
- To save artifacts from being destroyed by an Israeli airstrike.
- Artifacts Rescued From
- Al-Kawthar high-rise building in Gaza City
- Organizations Involved
- PUI, Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, EBAF
- Artifacts Include
- Ceramic jugs, mosaics, coins, painted plasterwork, human/animal remains
- Artifacts' Age
- Up to 2,000 years old
- Building Demolished
- Yes, by Israel
- Reason for Demolition
- Alleged Hamas use
- Cultural Sites Damaged
- 110+ across Gaza