Israeli forces implemented a closure of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, a site sacred to both Muslims and Jews, beginning Friday afternoon and extending through Saturday evening. Palestinian worshippers and mosque staff were denied access to the facility, and the Islamic call to prayer was suspended during this period.
The restrictions coincided with an annual Jewish observance commemorating Sarah, traditionally believed to be buried at the location. Israeli authorities stated that approximately 20,000 visitors were expected to attend the religious celebration, with hundreds of security personnel deployed throughout the area. Mosque director Moataz Abu Sneineh indicated that Israeli officials planned to grant exclusive access to Israeli visitors during this timeframe.
Israeli military forces implemented enhanced security measures across Hebron’s Old City, tightening checkpoints and limiting movement in ways that prevented some residents from accessing their homes. The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Endowments formally protested the access restrictions.
The Ibrahimi Mosque, also known as the Cave of the Patriarchs, holds religious significance for both Muslim and Jewish communities as the purported burial site of the Prophet Abraham and his family members. Under a 1997 agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, Israeli forces maintain security control over the area while Palestinian municipal authorities retain planning and construction responsibilities. In June, however, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans to assume those Palestinian planning powers, raising concerns about Israeli intentions regarding the holy site’s future status.
The mosque closure followed a 10-day military operation in Hebron that resulted in numerous arrests, home demolitions, and significant population displacement. Israeli settlers have increasingly established themselves in Hebron’s Old City through property seizures and outpost development under military protection.
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