This mosque is the 3rd holiest site in Islam and was established in 705. The majority of the present-day building likely dates from 1035 (that’s still older than Notre Dale). Preservation community, wya with your prayers? https://twitter.com/firstqiblah/status/1391660328941985792

The Masjid al-Aqsa is part of the Haram Al-Sharif Compound in Jerusalem which also includes other very sacred sites like the Dome of the Rock. Until the 60s, it was in the hands of the Jordanian government, until which the Israeli forces took control of this part of the city

The Jordanian and Palestinian-led Islamic Waqf administers the mosque itself, but has had to agree to allow Israeli forces to patrol and search the building which has likely led to a number of disturbances

The mosque was the victim of an arson attack in 1969 (since restored by the Waqf) and also notably, two major shootings at the complex itself in 1981 and 1991.

Needless to say, the Israeli forces have also been making it difficult for Palestinians and Muslims in general to access the mosque for decades (and have a history of using it themselves) in what appears to be a campaign of expulsion from the Old City.

This thread is thanks to some surface-level research on the topic. I’m by no means an expert, but it goes to show how much information you can find out for context if you’re willing and able. Very much open to more insight if anyone is willing to provide.