The night prayer at Al Omari Mosque during the month of Ramadan held a special place in the hearts of Palestinians, according to Mohammad Ibrahim, a political researcher in Gaza.
This is why Israel's levelling of the historic site was especially hard to come to terms with for the residents of the Palestinian enclave, Ibrahim said, noting that one of the goals of the occupation was to make Palestinians feel rootless in the face of widespread destruction.
Israel's aerial bombing and ground offensives have destroyed over 35% of Gaza's urban infrastructure, systematically wiping out historic neighbourhoods, cultural landmarks, medical facilities, educational institutions, as well as vital systems for sewage, water, and electricity.
For many city planners, an 'urbicide' - the deliberate annihilation of a city - has been unfolding since October 7, 2023.