Israeli forces blocked Palestinian worshippers and mosque staff from the Ibrahimi Mosque to facilitate exclusive access for Israeli settlers marking an annual commemoration of Sarah. Security forces established extensive checkpoints and tightened movement restrictions across Hebron's Old City from Friday afternoon through Saturday night. The site closure deepens ongoing friction following a recent 10-day military siege that displaced thousands of local residents. It also coincides with mounting disputes over administrative authority after Israeli officials moved to assume planning powers historically handled by the Palestinian municipality.
Key points
Exclusive religious access granted to settlers escalates friction at the holy site shared…: Exclusive religious access granted to settlers escalates friction at the holy site shared and revered by both Muslims and Jews.
Strict movement limits across the Old City intensify pressure on residents already recove…: Strict movement limits across the Old City intensify pressure on residents already recovering from a disruptive military siege.
Palestinian municipal oversight faces serious strain after Israel announced plans to seiz…: Palestinian municipal oversight faces serious strain after Israel announced plans to seize local construction and planning powers.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Ibrahimi Mosque reopened exclusively for Israelis, deepening tensions over control of contested West Bank holy site.
Israeli forces have closed the Ibrahimi Mosque in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron to Palestinian worshippers as thousands of Israeli settlers converge on the site for a Jewish religious celebration.
The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Endowments said worshippers and mosque employees had been barred from entering and the call to prayer suspended.
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Mosque director Moataz Abu Sneineh told Al Jazeera that Israeli authorities intended to open the mosque’s prayer halls and courtyards exclusively to Israelis.
The closure, imposed on Friday afternoon and set to last until 10pm on Saturday, coincides with an annual Jewish observance to commemorate Sarah, a wife of Prophet Abraham, who is traditionally believed to be buried at the site.
Israeli troops tightened checkpoints and restricted movement…
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