Israeli occupation forces on Saturday completely sealed off the Al-Ibrahimi Mosque from Palestinian citizens, while simultaneously shutting down commercial establishments in the old city of Hebron. The military intensified its security presence around the holy site, citing the need to protect settlers participating in religious celebrations.
According to reports from the scene, all military checkpoints and electronic gates leading to the mosque were locked down. Troops increased their deployment at entrances and access roads to ensure the safety of settlers during festivities associated with the Jewish holiday “Simchat Torah.” The heavy security measures were designed to facilitate the movement of settlers into the old city and its archaeological sites.
Authorities issued a military order specifying the route for a settler march through the old city. The procession was scheduled to begin at the Ein al-Hamra area, passing through the Jabari neighborhood, the Waqf Directorate, the Diwan al-Akrad district, and the Zahed area. The route concluded at land seized by settlers on Shalala Street before returning via the same path.
Mu’taz Abu Sinnah, the director of the Al-Ibrahimi Mosque, strongly condemned the closure of the site. He stated that shutting the mosque under the pretext of securing settler events constitutes a violation of the sanctity of the holy place and an infringement on the rights of Muslims to access their places of worship. Abu Sinnah warned of the severe repercussions resulting from these actions against the mosque and the old city.
