The Palestinian Ministry of Culture announced today, Thursday, that Israel has destroyed the home of the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in the Gaza Strip. Culture Minister Atef Abu Saif stated in a press release, "The occupation's targeting and destruction of the house of the martyr leader and founder Yasser Arafat in Gaza is a continuation of its war that undermines everything that symbolizes dignity and the struggle of our people."
The ministry published a series of photos on its official Facebook page showing the extent of the destruction of the house located in the heart of Gaza City, where Arafat lived from 1995 to 2001. Abu Saif explained in his statement that Arafat's house "contains personal and family belongings of the immortal leader and has witnessed many pivotal moments in our people’s history during Abu Ammar's presence in Gaza at the beginning of the establishment of the Authority."
He added, "The house also includes some exhibits showcasing different phases of Abu Ammar's life and details about his struggle for the freedom of his people, along with other artistic works." The minister further stated, "The house will remain, with its significance and status, a witness to important milestones in our history, just as the crimes of the occupation and its destruction will serve as further evidence of the barbarity and brutality of this occupier."
He remarked, "The occupation's attack during the ongoing war on Gaza against the Palestinian cultural heritage—including historical buildings, mosques, churches, cultural centers, heritage sites, museums, libraries, publishing houses, and universities—comes as part of the same destructive pattern of values represented by the occupation and its policies."
Arafat passed away in 2004 after moving his headquarters from Ramallah to France for treatment. He was buried in the yard of the facility in Ramallah, where he remained since 2002 without leaving. One of the notable events that occurred there was the Israeli tank siege in 2002, which lasted for 35 days and ended through an agreement facilitated by American and British mediation.
