DUBAI: Palestinian authorities have submitted a request to UNESCO to place 14 cultural and natural landmarks in Gaza and the occupied West Bank on the World Heritage Tentative List, citing threats to the historic sites amid reported aggression by Israel.
The proposed locations span thousands of years of history, from prehistoric caves and ancient trade routes to religious monuments central to Palestinian cultural and spiritual life.
Officials said the move is aimed at documenting and preserving heritage sites that have been damaged, endangered or placed at risk by conflict.
Rula Maayah
International organizations have repeatedly warned of widespread destruction of cultural property in Gaza since the outbreak of war in the territory following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel.
