Play store
Israeli forces have closed the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron in the occupied West Bank to Muslim worshippers, barring them from entering the site for prayers from Wednesday until Thursday evening.
The Israeli military said the measure was taken as part of security arrangements for a Jewish religious festival, Anadolu Agency reported.
Palestine’s Ministry of Endowments condemned the closure and called on international and human rights organisations to intervene urgently to stop what it described as “systematic violations” against the mosque and ensure Muslims’ access to the site.
Motasem Abu Sneineh, director of the Ibrahimi Mosque, said the closure was part of ongoing tensions and attempts to seize the remaining parts of the mosque. He said all its rooms and courtyards constituted an Islamic religious site.
He also described the measures as a clear violation of the right to religious freedom recognised under international conventions.
Israeli forces have also stepped up their military presence around the mosque, closing several checkpoints and electronic gates along access routes. The measures have disrupted movement of students and staff at the nearby Ibrahimi Boys’ Primary School and Al-Faiha Girls’ Primary School, bringing classes to a halt.
The Ibrahimi Mosque is located in Hebron’s Old City, which is under full Israeli control. Around 400 Israeli settlers live in the area under the protection of about 1,500 Israeli soldiers.
The mosque was divided after an Israeli settler killed 29 Palestinian Muslim worshippers in 1994. Since then, 63% of the site has been designated for Jewish worshippers and 37% for Muslims.
Source: Anadolu Agency
