Books Rescued and Distributed to Children Amidst Gaza's Destruction
Following the destruction of libraries and schools in Gaza due to war, volunteers are recovering and repairing books from the rubble to preserve literary heritage and provide them to children.
A dedicated group of book enthusiasts in Gaza is striving to keep Palestine's literary heritage alive amidst ongoing conflict. Books, once common, have become a rare commodity due to widespread destruction. According to UNICEF, approximately 98 percent of school buildings in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed or damaged.
With around 700,000 children in Gaza deprived of regular in-person education since the war began in October 2023, books have emerged as a vital means for them to reconnect with learning. A relative ceasefire since October 2025 has allowed for some recovery efforts, giving these salvaged books a second life.
Highlights
- Volunteers in Gaza are recovering and restoring books from the rubble of destroyed buildings.
- These rescued books are becoming crucial tools for children to re-engage with education.
- The costs of book recovery and repair have significantly increased due to the siege on the region.
- Some damaged books are being preserved as witnesses to the war's atrocities.
- Newly established libraries are distributing books to the public, especially children.
Details
Mohammed Saad, 54, from Beit Lahiya, has collected books for over 35 years, estimating his pre-war library at 50,000 to 100,000 titles. After being displaced 16 times, he managed to recover about 12,000 books from his home's rubble. Saad moved these to Deir el-Balah, where he set up a tent library named "Athar." He and his son are diligently cleaning and repairing thousands of books.
Children visit the library daily, seeking stories. Books are sold at symbolic prices, ranging from 5 to 15 shekels (approximately $1.63-$4.89), as they are largely unaffordable for most families. However, the books in the tent remain vulnerable to natural elements like sun, heat, humidity, and rain.
Elsewhere, Omar Hamad, 30, a displaced person from Beit Hanoon, is also searching for books in destroyed libraries. He and his team have extricated around 3,000 books. Among them is "The Catastrophe of Palestine," printed in 1956. For specialized restoration, they turn to Jameel Mikdad, 71, a bookbinder with over 45 years of experience. Although Mikdad's own library and printing shop were destroyed, he continues his work. The price of materials like white glue has surged from 30-35 shekels (approximately $9.78-$11.48) to 450-500 shekels (approximately $146.74-$163.05) due to the siege on Gaza.
Why it matters
These initiatives are crucial for helping children in Gaza reconnect with education and for preserving cultural heritage. Despite the devastating impact of the war, maintaining access to knowledge and fostering a love for reading through books offers a beacon of hope for future generations. Furthermore, preserving damaged books as witnesses to the conflict serves an important role in documenting the tragedy that has unfolded.