The occupying Israeli forces have destroyed 1,160 mosques and 40 cemeteries during the Gaza war, while famine has claimed 11 more lives and 51 Palestinians were martyred in fresh attacks.
Anwar Abu Shawish, Director General of Gaza’s Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, stated that Israel’s ongoing genocide and imposed war have completely destroyed places of worship, mosques, cemeteries, endowments, and religious centers. These sacred places and institutions were the backbone of the Palestinian people’s religious and social structure.
According to him, Israel has trampled all international and humanitarian laws, causing damages exceeding $500 million to religious institutions. Out of 1,244 mosques in Gaza, 1,160 were directly targeted—with 909 mosques completely demolished and the rest rendered unusable.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces carried out successive strikes on Al-Nasr Hospital in Khan Younis, killing more than 20 people, including five journalists and hospital staff. Among the slain journalists were Reuters cameraman Hossam Al-Masri, Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Salama, Independent Arabia’s Maryam Abu Duqqa, freelance journalist Moaz Abu Taha, and AP-affiliated Ahmad Abu Aziz. This brought the number of journalists killed in Gaza to 245.
Arab media also reported that Israel has destroyed over 1,000 buildings in Gaza’s Zaytoun and Sabra neighborhoods, leaving entire areas reduced to rubble.
Targeting places of worship, killing civilians, journalists, medical workers, and aid responders are blatant violations of international law and the Geneva Conventions, amounting to war crimes. Yet, tragically, Israel continues to enjoy complete impunity, shielded especially by the United States. Prime Minister Netanyahu has been unleashed like a bloodthirsty predator, while the so-called civilized world looks away.
This war has exposed the hypocrisy of Western claims of liberty, justice, human rights, and democracy. In reality, Western progress has been built upon colonial plunder, genocide of non-white nations, and the ruthless use of power, often under the guise of treaties and diplomacy.
Despite Hamas showing willingness for peace talks in line with American proposals, the U.S.—acting as a representative of the global Zionist lobby—failed to pressure Israel into peace. Instead, Washington has been complicit, if not directly responsible, for the ongoing atrocities.
The UN Relief Coordinator has already warned that Gaza’s situation is far worse than anyone can imagine. Entire neighborhoods are uninhabitable; homes once filled with children’s laughter now lie in ruins, with thousands of innocent lives buried beneath. Survivors face starvation and famine.
Yet, despite unimaginable destruction, the Palestinian resistance continues. The ruins and rubble of Gaza have turned into a fortress of defiance, proving that Palestinians will not surrender.
It is high time for the Muslim Ummah to act—at least to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza’s starving civilians. Why does the Muslim world remain silent, despite having wealth and armies, while innocent children are slaughtered? History reminds us: the genocide of Palestinians today is no different from the extermination of Native Americans. Arab leaders must realize that if Gaza falls, the tide of destruction may soon reach their own lands.
Netanyahu, a convicted war criminal, has openly declared his plans for “Greater Israel.” Gaza stands as the last wall against these expansionist ambitions. If Arab rulers allow its fall, tomorrow they may find themselves defenseless.
