Israel destroyed 1,109 mosques and 3 churches during Gaza genocide, says ministry

The Israel occupation regime destroyed 1,109 mosques and three churches during its genocide between 7 October 2023 and 19 January this year, the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs in Gaza has confirmed. The ministry added that at least 315 mosque officials and employees were killed, and 27 have been detained by the occupation forces.

While 275 mosques were partially or severely damaged by Israeli bombs, said the ministry, 834 were destroyed completely, as were the three churches in Gaza City.

It also reported that the occupation regime targeted 40 out of a total of 60 cemeteries in the Palestinian enclave, 21 of which were destroyed completely. Israeli soldiers dug up and stole dead bodies, “mutilating” them in “barbaric” ways, it added.

Moreover, the occupation forces destroyed 643 religious endowment properties, targeted 30 legal institutions and 30 administrative buildings, including the ministry’s main headquarters and the headquarters of Holy Quran Radio. It also completely or partially destroyed 20 vehicles belonging to the ministry.

The ministry announced the launch of the Minarets Coalition for the reconstruction of mosques and religious institutions. The coalition includes the heads of religious and charitable institutions and other religious figures from more than 30 countries with the aim of sponsoring and supporting religious and endowment projects in the Gaza Strip.

READ: More than $50bn needed to rebuild Gaza, World Bank joint assessment says