 Some Western travelers in the late 19th @-@ century reported that the Great Mosque was the only structure in Gaza worthy of historical or architectural note . The Great Mosque was severely damaged by Allied forces while attacking the Ottoman positions in Gaza during World War I. The British claimed that there were Ottoman munitions stored in the mosque and its destruction was caused when the munitions were ignited by the bombardment . Under the supervision of former Gaza mayor Said al @-@ Shawa , it was restored by the Supreme Muslim Council in 1926 @-@ 27 . 
