HEBRON: Israeli occupation forces closed the Ibrahimi Mosque in the city of Hebron on Thursday and tightened their military measures against Palestinians in the Old City, under the pretext of Jewish holidays.

The Director of Endowments in Hebron, Ghassan Al-Rajabi, told WAFA that the occupation closed the mosque until 10 pm, as colonists are set to storm it and perform Talmudic religious rituals, dances and celebrations.

He added that the occupation closed the Old City, and prevented employees of endowments and religious affairs from entering the mosque, where a curfew was imposed on the neighborhoods of Jaber, Salaymeh, and Wadi Al-Hussein. The occupation soldiers also informed the residents that this restriction will continue until next Sunday.

Al-Rajabi pointed out that the Jewish holidays are part of the Judaization measures of the Ibrahimi Mosque and an infringement on its sanctity, and an assault on the rights of Muslims to access their places of worship, calling on the international community to int
ervene to protect the holy sites.

It is noteworthy that the occupation has prevented the dawn call to prayer in the Ibrahimi Mosque for the 22nd consecutive day.

It is noteworthy that the occupation completely closes the sanctuary for 10 days a year, under the pretext of Jewish holidays, and deprives Palestinian worshipers of their right to pray there.

The occupation authorities exploit Jewish holidays and occasions to oppress citizens and impose collective punishments on them, by closing checkpoints and tightening military measures, and obstructing the movement of citizens and preventing them from reaching the holy places.

Source: Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA