Israeli forces have destroyed 1000 mosques and dozens of cemeteries in the Gaza in the last 108 days
Does it look like a military campaign against terrorists?
Reports have indicated that from October 2023, the Israeli forces have destroyed many mosques and cemeteries in the Gaza Strip. Over the period, more than 1,000 mosques were destructed while many cemeteries desecrated, the Palestinian Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs have said. This has resulted in tremendous material and cultural destruction, though the cost of rebuilding these mosques comes to approximately $500 millions.
According to the ministry, about over 100 religious scholars, preachers, imams, and muezzins have been assassinated as a result of the Israeli aggression on many other religious sites especially churches. Additionally, at least 16 cemeteries in Gaza are said to have been desecrated by the Israeli forces.
Satellite imagery and social media footage scrutinized by CNN corroborate the claims showing, among other evidence of destruction, level graves and exposed bodies. This has raised potential infractions to international laws and human rights concerns.
The Israeli occupation forces' activities such as bulldozing cemeteries into military outposts and fortifying positions by using bulldozer have been decried for possibly amounting to war crimes.
The destruction of the religious and cultural sites is too sensitive and provocative as well as desecration of cemeteries. They can easily be construed to an affront not only to the Palestinians but also the entire Muslim world. It may eventually result in intense emotional reactions and even further incite the general anger and resentment of Muslims across the globe. Attacks on religious sites and graveyards may all be interpreted as ways to demoralize and dishonor the community, which goes beyond what could be achieved with mere physical destruction that it enforces directly.
This situation in Gaza and the way how Israeli forces are acting is very complex and multilateral, taking into account the military aims, security reasons, and considering the wider background as the struggle between Israel and Palestine. Such destruction of religious and cultural heritage sites often may be seen as excessive and out of proportion and hence likely to further tensions and destroy attempts at peace and understanding.
