GAZA STRIP, PALESTINE - NOV. 9: Restoration work has begun at the historic Pasha Palace Museum in Gaza's Old City, a significant landmark severely damaged during the recent conflict, Palestinian authorities announced.The project, a cooperative effort between the Palestinian Ministry of Culture, the Bethlehem Cultural Heritage Preservation Center, and local institutions, aims to bring the iconic building back to life.The palace, which bears architectural traces from the Mamluk and Ottoman eras, is considered one of the most important historical structures in the coastal enclave. It suffered extensive damage, with a large part of the building destroyed in airstrikes in December 2023. Numerous artifacts from the Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman periods housed inside were also damaged or lost.In an interview with Anadolu, Dr. Hamoudah Al-Dahdar, a cultural heritage expert at the Bethlehem Cultural Heritage Center, detailed the site's historical significance and the scale of the destruction.'The Pasha’s Palace Museum, or Qasr Al-Pasha, is one of the most important historical landmarks located in the Gaza Strip. It dates back to the Mamluk era, and its age is estimated to be 800 years,' Al-Dahdar stated.'This place was destroyed in the recent war, with more than 70% of its area damaged,' he added.Al-Dahdar explained that the palace had previously housed a vast collection of archaeological artifacts discovered throughout Gaza, dating from prehistoric times up to the Ottoman era. He noted that during the recent war, the museum was 'completely destroyed, and many valuable artifacts were stolen from inside.'He described the current work as a 'first-aid intervention' for the site.'We are also working to preserve whatever remains of this place,' Al-Dahdar added.The initial phase of the project focuses on debris removal, preserving original stones, and preparing for a future comprehensive reconstruction.According to a recent joint report by Palestinian conservation experts and UK-based archaeologists, an initial 18-month phase to merely secure historic sites across Gaza from further deterioration would require an investment of approximately $33 million, contingent on a sustained ceasefire. The report further indicates that a complete reconstruction of these cultural assets is a far more protracted and costly endeavor, potentially requiring up to eight years and a budget nearing ten times that initial amount.The restoration effort comes as the Gaza Government Media Office has declared the enclave an 'environmental and structural disaster zone,' stating that about 90% of civilian infrastructure has been destroyed, leaving an estimated 70 million tons of debris.According to UN estimates, the overall rebuilding of Gaza is projected to cost approximately $70 billion.Writing by Sibel Uygun