The story of a book in Gaza: A treasured possession given new lease of life

What the report says

In Gaza, surviving books are becoming prized possessions as libraries, schools and homes have been destroyed during the war. In a feature published by Al Jazeera on Oct. 4, 2026, the outlet describes how books are being recovered from rubble, cleaned and repaired, then circulated again to children and students who have lost regular access to education.

The report focuses on several people involved in that effort. Mohammed Saad, a longtime book collector from Beit Lahiya, rebuilt a tent library in Deir el-Balah after his collection was destroyed and says he recovered thousands of volumes from the ruins of his home. Another displaced Gaza resident, Omar Hamad, searched damaged libraries in northern Gaza and Gaza City and helped rescue about 3,000 books, later founding Phoenix Library. When books needed more advanced restoration, Hamad turned to Jameel Mikdad, an experienced bookbinder in Gaza City’s Shati refugee camp.

Al Jazeera says the work is happening against a backdrop of severe educational loss, with most school buildings in Gaza damaged or destroyed and many children out of regular classrooms since the war began in October 2023. The article also notes that books are scarce and expensive, so some are lent out or sold at symbolic prices. In this context, the rescued books are presented not only as reading material but as a way to preserve learning, memory and a sense of normal life.