Art Under Fire: The Devastating Impact of Conflict on Cultural Heritage

As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, museums in Israel have been working to protect priceless artifacts and art by moving them into secure bunkers. However, in Gaza, there is little opportunity to safeguard valuable artifacts, as the Israeli military's operations have caused significant damage to cultural landmarks. More than 100 cultural landmarks in Gaza have been seriously affected, including ancient mosques and churches. The Yasser Arafat Museum in Ramallah has chosen to keep its artifacts on display, despite the risks, while also digitizing them for preservation. The conflict highlights the different realities faced by curators in preserving cultural heritage in the midst of war.