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**GAZA, July 20, 2005, (WAFA)- Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MTA) revealed Wednesday that Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) destroyed a very important archeological site south of Gaza.
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Director General of MTA, Dr. Moin Sadeq, told WAFA that Israeli troops razed yesterday (Tuesday) a site of huge remains of Byzantium Church, close to the shore of Deir Albalah City, south of Gaza.
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He said that the site consisted of floors made of mosaic constructed in 586 AD, pointing that MTA reconstructed it in Arle City in France in 2000.
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Sadeq asserted that such Israeli aggression is a “new phase of Israeli series of aggressions against archeological sites and historic buildings in Palestinian cities and towns”.
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The DG mentioned that, through the destruction of Palestinian antiquities, “Israel tries to burry the evidences of the Arab roots in Palestine”.
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He added that such acts target the destruction of tourism in Palestine which already based on the cultural heritage and Christian and Islamic shrines.
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Sadeq recalled an important archeological site in Jabalia (north of Gaza) during the last offensive, in September, 2004.
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Sadeq expressed his worry as Israelis may destroy more archeological sites before their withdrawal from Gaza, mentioning that one of the Israeli outpost, north of Gaza, locates on a Byzantium “Church of Baptist Bishop John” established in 550 AD.
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He recalled that the Israeli stolen dozens of antiquities from Gaza, and carried them to Israeli museums.
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Sadeq called on the UNESCO to intervene to protect the Palestinian archeological and historical sites.
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He also mentioned that the construction of the Apartheid Wall causes the destruction of a lot of ancient sites.
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S.A.S. (23:20 P) (20:20 GMT) **
english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=Enews&id=3373
.
Director General of MTA, Dr. Moin Sadeq, told WAFA that Israeli troops razed yesterday (Tuesday) a site of huge remains of Byzantium Church, close to the shore of Deir Albalah City, south of Gaza.
.
He said that the site consisted of floors made of mosaic constructed in 586 AD, pointing that MTA reconstructed it in Arle City in France in 2000.
.
Sadeq asserted that such Israeli aggression is a “new phase of Israeli series of aggressions against archeological sites and historic buildings in Palestinian cities and towns”.
.
The DG mentioned that, through the destruction of Palestinian antiquities, “Israel tries to burry the evidences of the Arab roots in Palestine”.
.
He added that such acts target the destruction of tourism in Palestine which already based on the cultural heritage and Christian and Islamic shrines.
.
Sadeq recalled an important archeological site in Jabalia (north of Gaza) during the last offensive, in September, 2004.
.
Sadeq expressed his worry as Israelis may destroy more archeological sites before their withdrawal from Gaza, mentioning that one of the Israeli outpost, north of Gaza, locates on a Byzantium “Church of Baptist Bishop John” established in 550 AD.
.
He recalled that the Israeli stolen dozens of antiquities from Gaza, and carried them to Israeli museums.
.
Sadeq called on the UNESCO to intervene to protect the Palestinian archeological and historical sites.
.
He also mentioned that the construction of the Apartheid Wall causes the destruction of a lot of ancient sites.
.
S.A.S. (23:20 P) (20:20 GMT) **
english.wafa.ps/body.asp?field=Enews&id=3373