Ayman Hassouna

Ayman Hassouna is a Palestinian archaeologist and university teacher. He has worked for the Department of Antiquities of Gaza and lectured at the Islamic University of Gaza (IUG). Hassouna has led excavations at the Byzantine Church of Jabalia and been involved in conservation projects.

Biography

In 1995, Hassouna joined the team of archaeologists excavating Anthedon and was involved in the project for nearly a decade. He has also been involved in conservation and restoration projects at historic sites in Gaza, consulting on the conservation of a Byzantine mosaic floor in Abasan al-Kabira, and working with the project at Saint Hilarion Monastery. Hassouna has criticised Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and Israel for conservation challenges facing Palestinian heritage sites.

alt=Two people stood on top of a yellow rocky mound. There is a road in the background with buildings on one side and the sea beyond that. The GAZAMAP team surveying the summit of Tell Ruqeish in 2022. Hassouna led the fieldwork to train students from IUG. Hassouna has worked at the Islamic University of Gaza as professor of history and archaeology.

Hassouna continued teaching through the COVID-19 pandemic, using Zoom to deliver lectures, and used the same methods to teach during the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip. Following the start of the invasion in October 2023, Hassouna and his family evacuated from Gaza City. They lived in cramped temporary accommodation and had to relocate again as the fighting spread. His home was destroyed during the invasion and, in 2024, Hassouna evacuated to Egypt and proceeded to the UAE.