Israel takes over administration of Ibrahimi Mosque from Muslim ministry

Israeli occupation authorities have informed the administration of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, south of the occupied West Bank, that its management has been transferred from the Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Endowments to the Israeli Civil Planning Authority, Quds Press reported yesterday.

Under the decision, work will resume on the roofing of the area referred to as the “courtyard” within the Ibrahimi Mosque.

Settlers set up a tent in the courtyard 20 years ago, designating it as a place of worship, and it has remained there since. They have been calling for the area to be permanently roofed to turn it into a dedicated prayer space.

Israeli forces began building a roof over the courtyard on 9 July last year but halted the work two days later following public protests in Hebron, which included sit-ins and demonstrations.

The Palestinian Ministry of Endowments has rejected the Israeli decision, asserting its authority over the Ibrahimi Mosque.

Hamas condemned the decision, calling it a “blatant assault on the status of the Ibrahimi Mosque and a serious violation within the ongoing series of attacks on Islamic holy sites.”

In a statement issued yesterday, Hamas noted that the decision coincides with the 31st anniversary of the Ibrahimi Mosque massacre, exposing what it described as “the occupation’s true intentions to continue its Judaisation efforts, divide the mosque, and tighten its control over it.”

READ: Palestinians warn of escalating Israeli violations against Ibrahimi Mosque