The Great Omari Mosque, the oldest and largest mosque in Gaza, was destroyed by Israeli bombing in the Old City of Gaza City.
In a statement, on Friday, December 8, Palestinian militant group Hamas accused Israel of committing a “heinous, barbaric crime”
Palestinian media reports that the mosque has been repeatedly targeted by Israeli fire since October 7.
Videos and images posted on social media show massive destruction in the Omari Mosque, with fallen walls, roofs, and a huge crack at the bottom of the stone minaret.
The only minaret appeared to be intact, while the surroundings were shattered.
Established over 1,400 years ago, this ancient mosque in Gaza is the third largest in Palestine, after Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem and Ahmed Pasha Al-Jazzar in Acre.
The mosque, named after Omar Bin Khattab, was later praised by Ibn Battuta as “the beautiful mosque.”
It is located in the Al-Daraj neighborhood, and is an archaeologically valuable, beautiful building with a library that has been in use since ancient times, Wafa News Agency reported.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Israeli army destroyed 104 mosques and three churches in the Gaza Strip, including numerous historical ones since October 7.
The Israeli forces launched its military operation in Gaza after a surprise attack by Hamas militants on Israel on October 7.
Israel says 1,200 people were killed and 240 taken hostage in the Hamas attack. Several hostages were later released during a seven-day ceasefire.
At least 17,487 Palestinians have been killed and more than 46,480 others injured in relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip.
