 The ancient bas @-@ relief inscriptions of Jewish religious symbols were allegedly chiseled away intentionally at some stage between 1987 and 1993 . During the Battle of Gaza between the Palestinian organizations of Hamas and Fatah , the mosque 's pro @-@ Hamas imam Mohammed al @-@ <unk> was shot dead by Fatah gunmen on June 12 , 2007 , in retaliation for the killing of an official of Mahmoud Abbas 's presidential guard by Hamas earlier that day . The mosque is still active and serves as an emotional and physical support base for Gaza 's residents and a focal point of Palestinian pride . 
