Israeli Occupation Authorities Deny Unrestricted Muslim Access to Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron during Ramadan
The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs has announced that Israeli occupation authorities have refused to hand over all sections of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the Old City of Hebron to the Ministry, as is customary on Fridays during the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement released today, the Ministry called the move a dangerous and unprecedented step, particularly given its timing during the holy month of Ramadan. The Ministry said this was part of a systematic plan to obstruct the full opening of the mosque's halls and courtyards to Muslim worshippers.
According to the Ministry, the traditional procedure for the first Friday of Ramadan involves the Ministry's Director and custodians receiving full responsibility for the mosque, preparing to open it entirely to Muslim worshippers. However, this year, officials were shocked when the Israeli occupation authorities prevented access to the Eastern Gate area, which is designated for female worshippers during Friday prayers.
This development marks a significant deviation from past practices, where the mosque would be fully accessible to all Muslims on the Fridays of Ramadan. The Ministry expressed concern that, if approved, this move would lead to a permanent shift in control over the mosque, with new restrictions being imposed gradually, furthering efforts by Israeli authorities to take full control over the site.
The Ministry further stressed that this action appeared to be aimed at appeasing settler groups who oppose the full opening of the mosque to Muslim worshippers. There are growing fears that these efforts are part of a broader strategy to convert the entire mosque into a synagogue for Jewish worship.
Since the beginning of Ramadan, Israeli occupation forces have also restricted access to the mosque for Palestinians under the age of 25.
Hamas Statement
Hamas issued a statement that the Zionist occupation's attacks against the mosques in the occupied West Bank during the blessed month of Ramadan are a clear escalation of religious warfare.
'Our people will not remain silent in the face of the desecration of their sacred sites.'
'Since the start of the holy month of Ramadan, the Zionist occupation has been intensifying its criminal actions, assaults and desecration against the mosques across the occupied West Bank, including the incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque and their attempts to judaise it, as well as the ongoing attempts to fully seize the Ibrahimi Mosque,' he added.
'Furthermore, the desecration and burning of several mosques in Nablus city early today reflect the occupation's relentless religious war, which comes as part of the broader aggression against our people and land.'
Our Palestinian people and their resistance will remain steadfast, serving as a strong shield to protect their mosques and holy sites, which endure attacks and desecration by the occupation and its terrorist settlers, Hamas said.
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