On May 28, 2024, an article detailing the history, significance, and recent destruction of Gaza’s Great Omari Mosque was published in The New York Times. Titled ‘Gaza’s historic heart, now in ruins,’ it was written by Bora Erden, Graham Bowley, and Tala Safie and features quotes by U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield President, Patty Gerstenblith, and Blue Shield President, Peter Stone.
As the article states, the mosque was destroyed in an airstrike by the Israeli military in December. The important building is one of 43 religious or historic sites damaged in Gaza since October 7th, according to the latest assessment of damage by UNESCO. The article, featuring vivid images, a video, and historic photographs, can be accessed online here.
Image of the Great Omari Mosque in 2022, by Dan Palraz, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Latest News & Alerts
July 10, 2026
The site of Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement in North America, is rich in archaeological material. Archaeologists are continually finding artifacts belonging to the English settlers, the Powhatan people, and Africans who were enslaved [...]
July 2, 2026
Reuters has released a visual investigation special report about the damage to Iran's historic sites. Within this extensive report, authors Maggie Michael, M.B. Pell, Mari Saito, and Ryan McNeill include quotes from USCBS President, Patty Gerstenblith, [...]
June 25, 2026
The European External Action Service (EEAS) has published its 2025 report on the implementation of the EU Concept on Cultural Heritage in Conflicts and Crises, which discusses the EU’s efforts towards policies, instruments, and partnerships in [...]
