Displaced Palestinians return to books as Gaza's Phoenix library rises from the rubble • FRANCE 24

Key Concepts

• The Phoenix Library: A grassroots initiative established in Gaza City to preserve knowledge amidst conflict.
• Scholasticide: A term used by UN experts to describe the systematic destruction of the education system and cultural heritage.
• Book Salvage: The process of retrieving, cleaning, and restoring literature from the rubble of destroyed buildings.
• Displacement: The forced movement of civilians, which in this case involved the physical transport of salvaged books across 13 different locations.

The Origins and Mission of the Phoenix Library

The Phoenix Library was established by writer Omar Hamad in Gaza City as a direct response to the widespread destruction of educational infrastructure. The project is rooted in the belief that access to knowledge is a fundamental necessity, even—and especially—during times of war. The library serves as a sanctuary for intellectual life, aiming to restore a portion of the cultural and educational heritage lost during the ongoing conflict.

The Process of Salvage and Restoration

The library’s collection did not originate from a single acquisition but through a meticulous, long-term effort:

1. Retrieval: Books were manually recovered from the debris of bombed-out buildings across Gaza.
2. Restoration: Because many books were damaged by the impact of bombardments and environmental exposure, the team engaged in a rigorous process of sorting and cleaning to make them readable again.
3. Logistical Persistence: Omar Hamad personally carried his initial collection of over 500 books through 13 separate displacements, ensuring their survival despite the constant threat of further destruction.

Funding and Growth

The project transitioned from a personal collection to a public institution through community and international support. Omar Hamad, alongside his collaborator Ibrahim Masri, utilized a crowdfunding platform to raise over $110,000. This capital allowed for the expansion of the library, which now houses approximately 6,000 books. The collection is diverse, covering specialized fields such as:

• Russian literature
• Philosophy
• Science and Economics
• Law and Journalism

Contextualizing "Scholasticide"

The establishment of the Phoenix Library is a counter-narrative to the broader destruction of Gaza’s intellectual infrastructure. Since 2023, at least 87 libraries and archives have been destroyed. UN experts have characterized this trend as "scholasticide," defined as the deliberate and systematic targeting of the education system. The founders view their work as a moral duty to preserve the heritage that is being systematically dismantled.

Notable Statements

• Omar Hamad: "It became our duty to restore, even if only in a small way, the heritage that we have lost."
• Perspective on Destruction: The founders emphasize that the destruction of libraries was not incidental but "abundantly clear" as a systematic effort to dismantle the education sector.

Conclusion

The Phoenix Library stands as a symbol of resilience and intellectual defiance. By transforming salvaged debris into a functional repository of 6,000 books, the project provides a vital service to the community of Gaza. It highlights the critical importance of preserving cultural and educational resources in the face of "scholasticide," proving that even in the midst of total destruction, the preservation of knowledge remains a priority for those committed to the future of their society.