Al-Khalil, MINA – Israeli occupation forces closed the Ibrahimi Mosque in al-Khalil to Muslim worshipers on Sunday, coinciding with Jewish holidays, in the second major closure of the site in less than a week amid tightened military measures in the Old City and around the mosque, the Palestinian Information Center reports.
Israeli forces pushed the mosque’s guards and employees to leave at 2 pm. The closure is set to continue until 10 pm Monday, while the mosque will be allocated for Jewish prayers and celebrations during that period.
The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs condemned the closure, saying what is happening at the Ibrahimi Mosque is “extremely dangerous” and constitutes a blatant provocation to Muslims, an attack on freedom of worship, and a violation of the mosque’s religious and historical status.
The ministry said Israeli measures target worshipers and mosque employees, pointing to the continued ban on the call to prayer at the Ibrahimi Mosque for the 90th consecutive day, alongside restrictions on Muslim access to the site.
Read Also: Israeli Attacks Kill Palestinian Couple as Gaza Ceasefire Violations Continue
It called on the international community and human rights and religious institutions to shoulder their responsibilities toward the mosque and work to ensure freedom of worship and end measures targeting the site and Muslims’ right to reach it and pray there.
The latest closure coincides with the continued ban on the call to prayer at the mosque since June 21, a measure that has now entered its 90th day after the call to prayer was blocked hundreds of times in recent months.
According to Palestinian Awqaf figures, Israeli authorities prevented the call to prayer at the mosque 57 times in January 2026, 45 times in February, 68 times in March, 91 times in April, 74 times in May, 84 times in June, and 155 times in August.
Sunday’s closure follows the closure of the mosque to Muslim worshipers on Wednesday and Thursday, also coinciding with Jewish holidays and tightened military measures in the Old City of al-Khalil.
Read Also: Amnesty Warns of Ethnic Cleansing Risk Amid West Bank Settler Violence
During Jewish holidays, the mosque is usually closed to Muslim worshipers, while settlers are allowed to enter and hold prayers and celebrations inside, limiting Muslim access to one of al-Khalil’s most prominent mosques.
This year’s measures have not been limited to closures and the ban on the call to prayer. The mosque has witnessed repeated settler incursions, religious rituals, the removal of worshipers and employees from some sections, gate closures, delays in worshipers’ entry, and restrictions preventing a number of Awqaf employees from carrying out their work.
In June, Israeli forces also detained Ibrahimi Mosque director Mutaz Abu Sneineh and chief guard Hammam Abu Markhiya and barred them from entering the mosque for 12 days, alongside continued restrictions on employees and worshipers.
In 2025, Israeli authorities prevented the call to prayer at the mosque 769 times, in addition to closing it for 12 consecutive days during the Israeli-Iranian war and for 11 more days under the pretext of Jewish holidays.[]
Read Also: Four Palestinians Killed in Israeli Attacks Across Gaza Strip
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
Mina Indonesia
Mina Arabic
Mina Sport