RAMALLAH, September 15, 2025 (WAFA) – The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs rejected on Monday the Israeli occupation's decision to seize the roof of the Ibrahimi Mosque’s inner courtyard.

 The Ministry affirmed in a press statement that this decision is unacceptable because it undermines the mosque's historical and heritage status and infringes upon the exclusive powers it is vested with.

It added that its powers include the right to carry out all necessary renovations and repairs at the mosque, including the section that the occupation authorities have taken over.

It stressed that it will not accept any reduction or infringement of its powers by the occupation, noting that the Ibrahimi Mosque is inscribed on the World Heritage List and recognized by human rights organizations, most notably UNESCO, which has stipulated that none of its features should be altered. Therefore, the Ministry said, no changes to its landmarks can be made in any way.

The Ministry appealed to UNESCO and the United Nations to intervene, saying the mosque’s protection is tied to preserving Hebron’s identity and Palestinian rights over their sacred sites.

In February, the occupation authorities had already shifted administrative powers over the mosque from the Palestinian Ministry of Endowments and Hebron’s municipality to an illegal settler religious body in the nearby colony of Kiryat Arba.

In 2017, UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee recognized the Ibrahimi Mosque as a Palestinian heritage site.

 A.D./ K.F.