Israel Closes Ibrahimi Mosque Ahead of Jewish Settler Celebrations - Tempo.co English

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Israeli forces closed the Ibrahimi Mosque to the general public until Thursday evening, September 17, citing the need to secure Jewish holiday celebrations by settlers.

Zionist troops also disrupted the teaching and learning process at Al-Faiha'a Girls' Elementary School and stopped all activities at Al-Ibrahimi Boys' Elementary School.

Amjad Karajah, Director of the Hebron Waqf, condemned the closure of the Ibrahimi Mosque—carried out to secure Jewish holiday celebrations—describing it as a clear violation of the site's sanctity and an infringement on the right of Muslims to access their place of worship.

As quoted by ANTARA, a WAFA correspondent reported that Israeli occupation forces tightened military measures around the Ibrahimi Mosque and closed the military checkpoint as well as the electronic gates leading to it.

This action prevented students and teachers from entering the schools, thereby halting and disrupting learning activities at both schools.

He added that troops were reinforcing their presence at the entrances to the Ibrahimi Mosque to secure settler access to Hebron and archaeological sites. They also closed several gates leading to the markets in the Old City.

According to him, these actions coincide with the tightening of military measures at checkpoints established by Israeli forces at the entrances to the Jaber, Al-Salaymeh, Ghaith, and Wadi Al-Hussein areas—locations adjacent to the "Kiryat Arba" settlement, which was built on Palestinian land east of Hebron.

Occupation forces are using the Jewish holiday to close roads and impose strict restrictions on the movement of Palestinians in the West Bank, including Jerusalem.

This series of actions exacerbates the suffering of Palestinians and further restricts freedom of worship and movement, while at the same time, rights and privileges are granted to settlers.