The Salim Abu Muslim mosque in Beit Lahia is one of many buildings in Gaza that have been destroyed. (Mohammad Al Masri/X)

The Guardian spoke with Fadel al-Utol, a 43-year-old archaeologist and restoration Palestinian expert based in Gaza, who has been a key figure in the field since 1995. Al-Utol has led important archaeological projects, including the excavation of a Roman-era cemetery and has played a crucial role in efforts to safeguard Gaza's cultural heritage.

He began his career with the Ecole Biblique under a collaboration between France and the Palestinian National Authority and has since worked with UNESCO and the British Council on projects to uncover and preserve historical sites.

When the ongoing Israeli genocide erupted, al-Utol was employed by an organization focused on safeguarding heritage in war zones. This organization trains and hires archaeology graduates from Gaza's universities, providing three-month training programs and employing up to 20 students based on budget constraints.

The initiative, a joint effort by the British Council and the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (Aliph Foundation), aimed to support the archaeological sector in Gaza.

Since 2017, al-Utol has been with First Aid Vision 2030, which aids archaeological fieldwork. Due to several Israeli aggressions and blockades, the archaeological sector has largely relied on international support.

Gaza’s cultural, archaeological heritage devastated amid ongoing genocide

Gaza, home to significant cultural and archaeological sites, has suffered severe damage amid the ongoing Israeli genocide, which is approaching its 10th month.

Regarding this situation, al-Utol lamented the destruction of a Roman-era cemetery that revealed lead coffins adorned with vine leaves from the first century AD. This discovery, which suggested the existence of a Roman city south of the cemetery, was significant.

The site was being prepared for 3D photographic mapping when the war erupted, and it has since been destroyed, he detailed, as quoted by The Guardian.

Al-Utol expressed profound sorrow over the loss of Gaza's archaeological and heritage sites. He noted that while he managed to hold back tears over his own home, which was destroyed in an Israeli air raid, the damage to landmarks such as the Great Omari Mosque and Qasr al-Basha, a museum and historical building, was particularly distressing. These sites were subjected to direct Israeli strikes and subsequent destruction by bulldozers. Al-Utol described the situation as devastating, feeling that the war has ravaged not just human lives but also the city’s historic and natural beauty.

A deliberate destruction of culture and heritage -
A historical Palestinian museum was destroyed in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/a3ib4eSjyC
— Dr. Ebraheem from Gaza (@abrahammatar) July 20, 2024

"It is an extremely saddening state of affairs. I feel this war has burned humans, stones, and trees. Nothing is left of Gaza and the city’s beauty," he told The Guardian.

When asked about the distribution of these sites and historical buildings, al-Utol explained that they were scattered throughout Gaza, with mosques and churches primarily located in old Gaza City.

For instance, the Byzantine church in Jabalia was directly hit despite the protective structures built in collaboration with the British Council. These measures were designed to preserve the church’s sixth-century architectural style, including its delicate mosaics and corridors.

🚨The Israeli army destroyed the historic Barqouq Castle in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, which dates back to the year 1387 AD!
The castle, built during the Mamluk era to serve as a midpoint between Damascus & Cairo ‼️
Israel destroyed the entire historical heritage of #Gaza pic.twitter.com/LaOATr1qMa
— Nour Naim| نُور (@NourNaim88) March 9, 2024

Al-Utol noted the sadness of seeing such important sites in Jabalia, the old city, Khan Younis, and Rafah suffer damage, although he confirmed that, thankfully, no loss has been reported in the Nuseirat so far.

'There isn’t a single safe area in all of Gaza'

Regarding his location at the onset of the Israeli war, al-Utol detailed being at the Roman cemetery excavation site in northern Gaza City.

He and his team of excavators and students managed to leave just 20 minutes before the war began. Al-Utol described the experience as extremely challenging, as they had to abandon both the excavation site and their homes, moving southward.

"It was a miracle that I managed to leave. It was a very sensitive area, there were lots of strikes and phosphorus bombs. The war started on 7 October. We made it out on the eighth just before midnight. We first went to Nuseirat and sought shelter in an Unrwa school, then moved to Rafah, then when the ground operation started we moved again to Deir al-Balah. We are trying to find a safe place but there isn’t a single safe area in all of Gaza," he heartfully said.

'Boiling in an oven'

When questioned about his current life, al-Utol described a stark shift from living in a house to residing in a tent. He said that daily life has become a struggle, involving constant efforts to secure basic necessities like water, phone charging, and solar power while contending with severe inflation and extreme heat. The plastic tents exacerbate the heat, making it feel like an oven.

"Imagine you are living in a house and then you are living in a tent. Life has shrunk. Now I spend my time searching for everything for my family," he told The Guardian.

"The tents are plastic so it is as if you are boiling in an oven," he gushed.

Al-Utol, who now spends his time managing these challenges, explained that he often takes on risky tasks due to his experience and age. The threat of nearby Israeli bombings creates a constant state of fear and horror. He likened the experience to something beyond even the most intense Hollywood scenes.

"These are massive bombs. The sound and shaking of the ground puts you in a state of horror. It’s something you do not even see in Hollywood movies, not even in your imagination," he asserted.

He lamented the fact that he and his family fled their home with nothing, expecting to return within days. Having left in only a T-shirt and trousers, al-Utol emphasized that he and his family are civilians with no involvement in political or military matters, questioning why they are being punished.

"I am a civilian who wants to live a cultural and humanitarian life. Why are they punishing me?"

'We will build Gaza back.... even more beautiful than it was before'

When asked about updates on the status of sites and historical buildings since the Israeli war began, al-Utol revealed that his team remains in Gaza and sends him photos of the damage whenever they find an internet connection. He documents the extent of the destruction as it occurs.

What have they done to Gaza?
Heartbreaking, so much heritage demolished deliberately. pic.twitter.com/6jpYAoM10s
— F I R A S 🍉 (@firasshams1) March 13, 2024

Despite the ongoing war, al-Utol remains hopeful, stating that all wars eventually end and expressing his determination to rebuild Gaza into a place more beautiful than it was before.

"The war will end one day. All wars end. And we will build Gaza back into a place that is even more beautiful than it was before," he concluded.