The company behind one of Gaza’s largest and most well-known bookshops vowed to rebuild after it was demolished by an Israeli air strike on Tuesday, sparking outcry from Palestinians and abroad.
Samir Mansour Library was destroyed in a strike that hit a building next to the Islamic University on Al Thalatiny Street in Gaza City.
Books were buried under rubble, while others were covered so thickly with dust that their titles could not be read.
The Israeli military said it was destroying Hamas tunnels in the operation.
The shop was established in 2008 and held thousands of books from all genres for sale. Despite having "library" in its name, it does not lend books.
But it was part of a publishing house that gave voice to Palestinian poets, children’s writers, novelists and academics, some of whom decried its destruction on social media and at the scene of the air strike.
"We are condemning the destruction of our library," Shereen Al A'ka, public relations officer at Samir Mansour publishing house, told The National.
"We are so sad because the library is not only walls, it is memories and friends for all ages.
“This library is an old dream for its owner. He worked hard to build it for years."
The books may be under rubble, but that will not stop us
As Gazans struggled to take in the loss, book lovers from further afield sprang into action, offering to donate books or raise money.
“I choked up when I saw the pictures of the destruction of the bookshop on social media,” said writer Nada Abu Mideen, 29.
“This place encouraged and supported me always.”
Ms Abu Mideen has two books published by Samir Mansour. One of them, Mazaj Morsal, covers Gaza after the 2014 war. The library printed about 1,000 copies of the book.
“After we survived the 2014 war, me and my friend decided to write about our survival, our challenges and resilience,” she said.
Ms Abu Mideen said the bombing would not stop her efforts to shine a light on the plight of Palestinians in Gaza.
“The books may be under rubble but that will not stop us. We will keep writing to show the world that we deserve life,” she said.
Fighting between Gaza militants and Israel has lasted for 10 days so far.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said 241 Palestinians have died and 7,802 have been wounded. In Israel, 12 people have been killed.
The government said about 1,620 rockets have been fired towards its territory by militants in Gaza.
The UN’s humanitarian agency said almost 450 buildings in the enclave have been destroyed or badly damaged, including six hospitals.
It said more than 52,000 Palestinians have been displaced since the start of the conflict.
Dr Ameen Wafi, a lecturer in literature at Gaza’s Islamic University, said the air strike was “unforgiveable”.
“To destroy a bookshop means one thing: that the occupier doesn’t believe in humanitarian values because the message of libraries is so clear over the world,” Dr Wafi said.
“Those actions are un-humanitarian and immoral. One of the most important tools for scientific renaissance is creating and building libraries.
"The mission of those libraries is so clear. It’s educational, cultural and awareness missions for people. It is one of the ways civilisations form."
Amira Nassar, 26, said the sight of the books on the ground made her weep.
“I called the library and ordered a number of books a couple of days ago, and they told me they would deliver the book after the escalation is over,” Ms Nassar said.
“I couldn’t imagine that I would pass through the area and find rubble instead of the library."
But Ms Al A’ka said the work of the bookshop is not over.
“We are disappointed. We lost a lot of valuable books under the rubble," she said. "The books are like our family members but we will not stop.
“We will take time, for sure, but we will not stop trying.”
MATCH INFO
AC Milan v Inter, Sunday, 6pm (UAE), match live on BeIN Sports
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
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%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E6-cylinder%2C%204.8-litre%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E5-speed%20automatic%20and%20manual%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E280%20brake%20horsepower%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E451Nm%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh153%2C00%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tewellah by Nawal Zoghbi is out now.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'
Director:Michael Lehmann
Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
THE BIO
BIO:
Born in RAK on December 9, 1983
Lives in Abu Dhabi with her family
She graduated from Emirates University in 2007 with a BA in architectural engineering
Her motto in life is her grandmother’s saying “That who created you will not have you get lost”
Her ambition is to spread UAE’s culture of love and acceptance through serving coffee, the country’s traditional coffee in particular.
More from UAE Human Development Report:
FIXTURES
Saturday, November 3
Japan v New Zealand
Wales v Scotland
England v South Africa
Ireland v Italy
Saturday, November 10
Italy v Georgia
Scotland v Fiji
England v New Zealand
Wales v Australia
Ireland v Argentina
France v South Africa
Saturday, November 17
Italy v Australia
Wales v Tonga
England v Japan
Scotland v South Africa
Ireland v New Zealand
Saturday, November 24
|Italy v New Zealand
Scotland v Argentina
England v Australia
Wales v South Africa
Ireland v United States
France v Fiji
Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
