Police In Gaza Seize A Door Painted By Street Artist Banksy

An empty frame doorway is seen standing on the rubble of a destroyed building that was damaged in last summer's Israel-Hamas war, without a door painting, presumably painted by British street graffiti artist Banksy, ... An empty frame doorway is seen standing on the rubble of a destroyed building that was damaged in last summer's Israel-Hamas war, without a door painting, presumably painted by British street graffiti artist Banksy, east of Jebaliya, in the northern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, March 31, 2015. Artworks by the elusive British graffiti artist Banksy are typically sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars, but in the Gaza Strip a local painter has succeeded in purchasing a Banksy original for less than $200. The popular street artist is believed to have sneaked into Gaza in February, leaving behind four murals including one drawn on a metal door that depicted a Greek goddess cowering against the rubble of a destroyed house. The painting of the goddess Niobe, titled "Bomb Damage," was drawn on the lone remaining part of a two-story house belonging to the Dardouna family in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip. (AP Photo/Adel Hana) MORE LESS
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GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Police in Gaza say they have seized a door bearing a drawing by British graffiti artist Bansky after the door’s owner said he was tricked into selling it for less than $200.

The popular street artist is believed to have entered Gaza earlier this year, leaving behind four murals, including one of a Greek goddess drawn on a metal door. The door was the last remaining part of the Dardouna family’s house, which was destroyed in last year’s war.

Police spokesman Ayman Batniji says the door was seized Thursday following a court order and a complaint by Rabie Dardouna. Claiming to be unaware of its potential worth, Dardouna sold the door to a local artist.

The court is expected to decide the door’s rightful owner.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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