TEL AVIV, Israel - Gaza City officials and eyewitnesses have reported the destruction of the Omari Mosque, Gaza's oldest and most iconic landmark, in an Israeli strike. The mosque, which has undergone various reconstructions throughout history, held significant religious and cultural importance in the region.

Confirming the strike, an Israeli official, speaking anonymously to NPR, stated that the mosque grounds contained a tunnel shaft utilized by militants. The official added that Hamas fighters from the Nukhba battalion frequently sought cover in the mosque.

Images released by a local Gaza news site and the Gaza City municipality depicted the mosque's roof in ruins, with the main hall covered in rubble. Despite the devastation, the minaret remained partially intact, while some arched walls suffered damage.

The Omari Mosque, originally a 5th-century Byzantine church, underwent transformations into a mosque in the 7th century, a Crusader church in the 11th century, and back to a mosque in the 13th century. Elements of the Crusader church's architecture were still visible in the structure, and a documented etching of a Jewish menorah on a mosque column, believed to have originated from an ancient synagogue, was also destroyed in recent decades.

The Israeli military had urged residents of the neighborhood surrounding the mosque to evacuate for their safety, but many chose to remain despite the ongoing conflict. Mustafa Shahawani, a local resident, described the mosque as "a hole" and expressed his dismay at the loss of a place where holiday and Ramadan prayers were held, holding treasured memories for him and the community.

Gaza City has witnessed extensive destruction due to ongoing Israeli military operations. During a brief cease-fire, Shahawani surveyed the area and witnessed the devastating impact of the conflict. He observed widespread destruction of homes, numerous casualties lying in the streets, and the destruction of landmarks such as the Deira Hotel and Roots Hotel.

Shahawani, along with his elderly grandmother, is currently seeking shelter in their home. The ongoing violence has severely limited their access to basic necessities, as they survive on minimal food and water rationing. The desperation and dire conditions in Gaza City have forced residents to bury their dead in their own yards due to space constraints.

The Omari Mosque's destruction is part of Israel's efforts to eliminate Hamas in Gaza following the militant group's Oct. 7 assault, which claimed the lives of 1,200 people in southern Israel. Meanwhile, according to Gaza health officials, the resulting Israeli bombardment has reportedly caused the deaths of over 17,000 people and has left many parts of Gaza's historic core devastated.

As the fighting continues unabated, the future of Gaza City and its residents remains uncertain. The loss of the Omari Mosque represents not only the destruction of a physical structure but also a significant blow to the cultural and religious heritage of the region.

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