Israel closes Hebron’s Ibrahimi Mosque to Palestinians for Jewish holiday

Israeli forces closed Hebron’s Ibrahimi Mosque to Palestinian worshippers during a Jewish religious celebration, with the prayer halls and courtyards set to be reserved for Israelis. The move matters because the site is sacred to both Muslims and Jews, and the closure restricts Palestinian access to a shared holy place.

The closure began on Friday afternoon and is due to last until 10pm on Saturday; authorities expect about 20,000 visitors, with hundreds of security personnel deployed. Checkpoints also restricted movement in Hebron’s Old City. The action follows a 10-day siege that ended days earlier, involving hundreds of arrests, 15 home demolitions and the displacement of more than 3,300 Palestinians, amid disputes over control of the site.