In addition to the historical mosques that constitute the cultural memory of the region, ancient churches that have served Gaza's Christian population for centuries were also subject to Israeli bombardment.
According to the latest statement made by the Media Office of the government in Gaza, 1,244 of the 1,275 mosques in the Gaza Strip were the target of Israeli attacks, while 1,77 of them were completely destroyed.
Gaza's historic Holy Family, St. Porfirios and Baptist churches, which have been symbols of worship and peaceful coexistence of different religions for centuries, were also subjected to Israeli attacks.
Mosques that have stood for centuries have been reduced to rubble
The Great Omeri Mosque, one of the most important historical buildings in Gaza, is one of the places of worship severely damaged in Israeli attacks. While the 1400-year-old minaret of the mosque, located in the historical Old City of Gaza city and called "Little Masjid al-Aqsa" by Gazans, was completely destroyed in the attacks, a part of the mosque was also damaged.
In addition to the Great Ömeri Mosque, Hz. Seyyid Hashim Mosque, built on the site of the tomb of Muhammad's great-grandfather Hashim bin Abdulmenaf, was heavily damaged as a result of the bombing by Israeli warplanes on December 7, 2023.
The Katib Vilayet Mosque, which dates back to the Mamluk period, was subjected to Israeli artillery bombardment on October 17, 2023 and was severely damaged.
The Ibn Osman Mosque, the second largest historical mosque in Gaza and built in the 14th century, suffered great damage as a result of Israeli attacks.
Ali bin Mervan Mosque, located in Tuffah District and built in 1371, was also seriously damaged due to Israeli attacks.
Zafar Demri, Bardibekiyye, Sitt Rukiyye, Sheikh Osman Kashgar and Great Khan Yunus mosques are among the historical places of worship targeted by Israel, which form the architectural, religious and cultural memory of Gaza.
Historical churches where Palestinians took shelter also became the target of Israeli attacks
In Israel's attacks in Gaza, which are in their third year, ancient Christian churches as well as Muslim places of worship were targeted.
Women, children and the elderly who took shelter in churches lost their lives in the attacks of the Israeli army, which did not hesitate to bomb the holy temples of Christians.
According to the Media Office of the government in Gaza, the Israeli army has targeted the 3 major churches in the Gaza Strip, the Holy Family, St. Porphyry and the Baptist, on more than one occasion.
In the air attack carried out by the Israeli army on the Holy Family Church in Gaza city in July 2025, 3 displaced people lost their lives and many people were injured. Among the injured was Gabriel Eduardo Romanelli, pastor of the Church of the Holy Family.
Israel's attacks on civilians in the Gaza Strip also silenced the sounds of bells that Christians rang in churches for mass and joy announcements.
St. Porfirios Greek Orthodox Church, known as the oldest church in the Gaza Strip and the third oldest in the world, was hit several times by the Israeli army, which has been continuing its attacks since October 2023.
The church, which was severely damaged by Israeli bombardment on October 10, 2023, became the target of attacks by Israeli warplanes again 9 days later.
The Israeli attacks, which caused severe damage to the church, caused loss of life among civilians who fled their homes and took shelter here.
The historical Ehli Baptist Church, which serves 200 Christians living in Gaza city, is commemorated with the massacre that occurred due to Israeli bombardment in October 2023. Approximately 500 people in the hospital and church were killed or injured in Israel's attack on October 17.
