Web Desk – November 16, 2025
Occupied East Jerusalem: (Web Desk) Israeli forces have imposed a curfew in the old city of Hebron (Al-Khalil) and closed the historic Ibrahimi Mosque to Muslim worshippers to allow illegal Jewish settlers to celebrate their holidays.
According to local activists, Israeli forces have enforced the curfew in various areas of the old city, preventing Palestinian citizens from accessing their homes, forcing many to spend the night with relatives in Hebron.
This curfew has been imposed during Israel’s efforts to gain full control over the remaining parts of the Ibrahimi Mosque and convert it into a place of worship for Jews.
Israel has taken this step on the occasion of the Jewish holiday of Sirach Day, which is celebrated annually in Hebron to promote the narrative of historical Jewish presence. The historic Ibrahimi Mosque was divided in 1994, with Israel allocating 63 percent of the mosque for Jewish worship while retaining only 37 percent for Muslims.
Israel has arranged for the mosque to be completely closed during 10 annual Islamic holidays, while Muslims have not been granted full access during their own holidays.
The Ibrahimi Mosque is located in the old city of Hebron, also known as Al-Khalil, which is under full Israeli military control. Approximately 400 illegal settlers reside there, protected by 1,500 Israeli soldiers.
On the other hand, in the occupied West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked the mosque, vandalized it, and set it ablaze, while also writing racist slogans against Palestinians on its walls.
The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs stated that settlers attacked Al-Hajjah Hamida Mosque near the village of Salfit in the northwestern West Bank, setting parts of the mosque on fire and drawing racist graffiti through groups of settlers.
It is noteworthy that Israeli occupiers carry out daily attacks on Islamic holy sites and Palestinian properties, with a systematic increase in both the intensity and nature of these violations.
