The Central Library of the University of Gaza (المكتبة الرئيسية لجامعة غزة) was located on the university’s main campus on ‘Awn al-Shawa Street in Gaza City. It opened at the same time as the university in 2007/2008, near a sports field lined with palm trees. In December 2023, it was completely destroyed by airstrikes along with the university’s four other buildings. With it, an electronic library containing more than 130,000 digital resources was also lost.
nventory prior to 7 October 2023: status of collections, holdings and equipment.
History
University of Gaza.
Date unknown.
Source: Institute for Palestinian Studies.
Gaza University received its initial authorisation on 18 July 2007, followed by its general accreditation on 27 January 2008. The institution then commenced its academic activities during the 2008/2009 academic year [1].
The two images below are taken from a video uploaded to YouTube by the university. The second shows the location of the university library (thumbnail in the top right-hand corner) [2] :
Buildings of the University of Gaza.
The library is on the right-hand side.
Source: Youtube
Collections / Archival collections
The library and digital repository websites were no longer available at the time of writing. However, both sites have been archived by ‘archive.org’ and their content can still be viewed.
Library search page.
Source: web.archive.org.
Overview of research methods, from right to left:
1. Books – Search for books by course 2. Theses – Search for theses by faculty and academic discipline 3. Academic journals – Check availability of books.
Source : web.archive.org
According to the library’s website [3], The collections included:
Books
Scientific publications and journals
Theses
Dissertations
Research reports
Online learning resources
Access to Open Access Journals
Photographic material
Final-year projects, conference/workshop papers, videos and other items (appear as options in the ‘Type’ menu of the Arabic interface)
Digital Collections
The digital repository appears to be a key component of the library, as the top menu bar on the ‘About the University’ page features a link labelled ‘Digital Repository’ alongside ‘Library’, illustrating the integration of the traditional print library with the digital library.
An article on the ‘Student Portal’ and the electronic systems of the University of Gaza mentions the university’s ‘Electronic Library’ [4].
The Arabic page of the digital repository states that “The University of Gaza repository is one of the best electronic repositories for the most important and recent scientific studies and achievements in the Middle East” [5].
Facilities
Whiteboard
Computer room with around 15 desktop computers
At least two video projectors
Audience(s) and activities
Main entrance to the University of Gaza.
The main users of the University of Gaza’s central library include students, lecturers, researchers and the university administration.
On its official website, the University of Gaza describes itself as “a leading higher education institution in Palestine, offering accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and working to nurture a creative and leading generation in the fields of science, engineering, management, media and technology”.
The ‘About Us’ page of the digital repository states that it is ‘dedicated to the preservation, retrieval, organisation, indexing and provision of digital resources to academics, researchers and students at the University of Gaza’.
The ‘Repository Publications Website’ page provides access to a service offering free and open access to the university’s research outputs[ [ Official website of the University of Gaza ]].
The university’s Facebook page and YouTube channel provide numerous examples of life in the library prior to its destruction: from visitor numbers and activities to the facilities[ [ University Facebook page, University YouTube channel ]].
Audiovisual sources
YouTube video uploaded by the University of Gaza showing the university library building (0:51)
YouTube video uploaded by the University of Gaza showing the interior of the university library (2:56–3:22)
Gaza University buildings.
Source: University website and Facebook page.
Buildings at the University of Gaza.
Source: University website and Facebook page.
Current status (as of 21 July 2025): status of collections, holdings and facilities
Buildings: The university’s four buildings were destroyed.
Satellite images of the university buildings.
Left: 15 July 2023 / Right: 7 July 2025
Source: Google Earth.
The satellite images above show the condition of the buildings on 15 July 2023 (left image) and 7 July 2025 (right image).
Collections / Documentary collections / Facilities: It is likely that the library’s holdings have been destroyed or lost (see the visual sources).
No further information available.
Staff situation
Currently Unknown.
Destruction following 7 October 2023
An article by Middle East Eye confirms that Gaza University, which had 10 faculties, was destroyed in December 2023 by an Israeli air strike [7].
The university’s branches in Bayt Lāhyā and Khān Yūnis were also bombed, looted and completely destroyed, according to a 2024 report produced in partnership with the AFD and the Ifpo. [8]
Written sources
Sources are cited in the footnotes.
Testimonials
K* also gave an overview of the electronic library at the University of Gaza, which contains over 130,000 e-books, setting it apart from other libraries. – 16 January 2017
...The delegation undertook a tour of the facilities, including computer labs, distinguished study rooms, the photography studio of the Media Department, as well as the language lab of the Faculty of Sciences and Communication Languages and the Moot Court of the Faculty of Law. The university’s central library and facilities were also visited, where everyone expressed their delight at what they saw of this high-calibre educational institution” - date unknown.
Preservation, safeguarding, restoration
No information available at the moment.
Technical information
Record number:
11
Links to other records:
—
Type:
University library
Author(s):
Ha*, Ne*, A.Z.
Record creation date:
11
Update date(s):
13/01/2026, 27/03/2026
Preservation, safeguarding, restoration
No information available at the moment.
Technical information
Record number:
11
Links to other entries:
—
Type:
University library
Author(s):
Ha*, Ne*, A.Z.
Record creation date:
11
Update date(s):
13/01/2026, 27/03/2026
Entrance to the main building of the University of Gaza, before its destruction.
‘Collage,
Drawing: Hannah C., 28 January 2026.
Hannah de Carpentier is an illustrator. After completing a DNA in Design with a specialisation in image and narrative, she went on to study for a Master’s in Print Media at the École des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
The core of my work is the practice of drawing, around which my writing, engraving and publishing activities are organised. In my view, drawing is a research tool. I draw from memory, observation and imagination. The format I work in is a space in motion and under construction.
For the drawing of the University of Gaza Library, I worked from images taken from a YouTube video showing the various spaces within the university (see ‘History’ section). I chose to focus on the entrance to the main building, which is a recognisable feature of the university. A place of passage, encounters and meetings.
