The al-Aqsa compound is one of the most revered places in Islam and Judaism. The sacred grounds, known to Muslims as Al Haram Al Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) and to Jews as Temple Mount have been a flashpoint of tensions between Israel and the Palestinians for decades.In a statement, Hamas said it had launched Saturday’s “Al-Aqsa Storm” attack on Israel — which targeted hundreds of troops and civilians — in part to defend the holy site.