'Like first aid for manuscripts': Recovery work begins at Gaza's war-damaged heritage sites

Following a ceasefire in Gaza, recovery efforts are underway at war-damaged heritage sites, including the Great Omari Mosque. Palestinian workers are clearing rubble from the mosque, which was targeted by Israeli military action during the conflict with Hamas. The work is challenging due to a lack of resources and restrictions on importing building materials. Simultaneously, conservationists are working to salvage ancient Islamic manuscripts from the mosque's 13th-century library, some of which were rescued during intense fighting. Despite "catastrophic losses," a significant number of manuscripts survived due to pre-war preservation efforts supported by the British Library and the British Council. UNESCO has verified damage to 145 religious, historic and cultural sites in Gaza during the war.

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