Fadel Al Utol, "the archaeologist without a degree," guardian of Gaza's buried memories

Fadel Al Utol has not forgotten the actions he performed on October 7, 2023. At 5:45 a.m., he began removing the tarpaulins protecting the 135 tombs unearthed at the Roman necropolis of Ard Moarbin, in the northern Gaza Strip. At 6:27 a.m., he heard rockets cracking the sky and immediately called French archaeologist René Elter to advise him not to join him. At 6:30 a.m., he began covering the tombs again. At 7:00 a.m., with the rockets still flying, he asked his four workers to return home and did the same, buying supplies for his wife and their six children along the way. At 8:00 a.m., he received the news: Hamas had launched an unprecedented attack on Israel.