An iconic bookshop that was destroyed by Israeli warplanes has re-opened in Gaza City.

The Samir Mansour library, along with its 100,000 books, was demolished during the 11-day conflict between Israeli troops and Hamas militants in May 2021.

Through the help of international donors, the bookshop has re-opened on February 17 in a building about 200 metres away from its original site. This time, it houses an impressive and more diverse selection of roughly 400,000 books on various topics and genres.

The new library spans two storeys and 1,000 square metres, and reportedly cost about $350,000 to rebuild.

The owner, Samir Mansour, said: 'The opening of the library after it was destroyed by the Israeli occupation is a historic day for me.

'I was devastated when the shop was destroyed and our friends and loved ones have boosted my morale. But today I was born again, today is a new birthday for me.'