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Police seize Banksy mural bought from Palestinian man for $175

The mural, titled "Bomb Damage," is currently on display inside the library of Khan Younis local council in southern Gaza.

By Fred Lambert
A mural of a weeping woman, said to have been painted by British street artist Banksy, sits inside the library of Khan Younis local council in southern Gaza on April 14, 2015. The mural was painted on the door of a house that was destroyed during the 50-day war between Israel and Hamas militants in the summer of 2014. The art piece was bought for $175 by a Palestinian from a family who now feels tricked. Experts said it is a valuable art piece worth tens of thousands of dollars. The mural was seized by police in Gaza on April 10, 2015, the vendor and the purchaser said. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI
1 of 13 | A mural of a weeping woman, said to have been painted by British street artist Banksy, sits inside the library of Khan Younis local council in southern Gaza on April 14, 2015. The mural was painted on the door of a house that was destroyed during the 50-day war between Israel and Hamas militants in the summer of 2014. The art piece was bought for $175 by a Palestinian from a family who now feels tricked. Experts said it is a valuable art piece worth tens of thousands of dollars. The mural was seized by police in Gaza on April 10, 2015, the vendor and the purchaser said. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI | License Photo

GAZA, April 14 (UPI) -- A door mural that is believed to be the work of street artist Banksy was seized by police after a Palestinian man accidentally sold it for $175.

The mural, painted in shades of blue and black on a door from a house damaged during fighting between Israel and Hamas militants last summer, depicts the weeping figure of mythical Greek character Niobe, who is often associated with mourning the loss of her children.

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The piece was one of several first unveiled on the streets of Gaza in February.

Late last week Gaza police acted on a court order and seized the door, which had been sold to a local artist for $175. Bansky murals have been sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Rabie Darduna, the door's original owner, said he did not know it was that valuable and wants it back. He has reportedly hired an attorney to look into the matter.

The mural currently sits in the library of Khan Younis local council in southern Gaza pending further action.

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