Israel-Gaza conflict destroys ancient Omari Mosque in Jabaliya in Gaza
The ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict has taken a toll on ancient Omari Mosque in Jabaliya. The Israeli attack has completely destroyed the mosque on August 2, 2014 during Operation Protective Edge, part of the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict.
The Omari Mosque is the part of rich cultural heritage of Gaza and was built in 700 AD. It is also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza is the largest and oldest mosque in the Gaza Strip, located in Gaza’s old city. It is believed that the mosque stands on the site of an old Philistine temple and the Byzantines used the site to build a church in the fifth century, but after the Muslim conquest in the 7th century, it was transformed into a mosque.