Artists Perform Amidst Ruins of Bombed Cultural Centre in Gaza

Al-Anqaa performing on the remains of Al-Mis’hal

(Photo Courtesy: Mohammad Asad)

Video Editor: Vishal Kumar

Al-Mis’hal centre was a symbol of culture, something that reinforced our Palestinian identity. They targeted it because art is, too, a form of resistance.

Hanin al-Holy to MiddleEastEye

And just like that, Israeli airstrikes bombed Al-Mis’hal, one of Gaza’s last remaining cultural centres on 9 August, shortly before a truce was agreed between Israel and the Hamas.

Israel Forces allege that the building was a centre for the operational wing of Hamas and activities would be conducted from there.

However, the bombing did not stop the music.

Artists, even though heartbroken at finding their stage turned to ashes, plugged in and performed – on the remains of Al-Mis’hal. Al-Anqaa (The Phoenix) performed national songs gathering a crowd by connecting their instruments to a small diesel generator.

A crowd gathered to watch this unique ‘concert’. This paved the way for many other artists, who took to the ‘stage’ to perform.

Palestinians believe that Israelis are trying to destroy every aspect of the Palestinian identity by attacking cultural centres, libraries, schools and more.

The Al-Mis’hal was a favourite go-to among the locals who would often visit the place for theatre, music and other performances.

(With inputs from AP)