The 15th century church remains first discovered in northern Gaza in 1997, floor is adorned with 'rare' mosaics; Hamas officials tout renovation project as embrace of 'Christian brothers'
The remains of a fifth-century Byzantine church were on Monday unveiled in Gaza following a three-year restoration project, with the Gaza Strip’s Hamas officials touting an embrace of their “Christian brothers.”
The remains of a church and monastery were first discovered in Jabalia, a city in northern Gaza, in 1997. Spanning an area about 800m2, the church’s floor is adorned with what officials said are “rare” mosaics, including depictions of animals, hunting scenes and palm trees.
Visitors can gaze at the mosaics from elevated wooden walkways.
The Gaza Ministry of Tourism said the church’s original walls were adorned with religious texts written in
The remains of a fifth century Byzantine church were unveiled in Gaza on Monday following a three-year restoration project, with the strip's Hamas Islamist rulers touting an embrace of their "Christi…