RAMALLAH, January 4, 2026 (WAFA) – The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs reported that Israeli colonists, under the protection of Israeli occupation forces, stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque 27 times during the month of December. Additionally, the Israeli occupation prevented the call to prayer (adhan) 53 times at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron during the same period.
In its report released today, the Ministry stated that the occupation and its colonists have intensified their attacks on the Al-Aqsa Mosque, with 27 incursions taking place. This came alongside the storming of Al-Aqsa by dozens of colonists on the first day of the Hanukkah festival. The colonists also attempted to carry out rituals, including lighting candlesticks within the mosque’s courtyards, under the protection of Israeli forces.
The Ministry highlighted the seriousness of these repeated Israeli incursion into Al-Aqsa, noting that they are part of a clear strategy aimed at "normalizing" the presence of Israeli colonists within the mosque. It warned of the daily nature of these attacks, which include activities such as ritual prostrations, trumpet blowing, and wearing prayer garments as part of public displays of religious practices.
The report also mentioned that large numbers of colonists held loud celebrations in the Western Wall Plaza, west of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the sound of which reached the Old City. This coincided with the beginning of the Hebrew month and the sixth day of Hanukkah.
All of these actions are occurring under the supervision and protection of the Israeli police, who consistently prevent the Al-Aqsa Mosque’s guards, employed by the Jerusalem Awqaf Department, from carrying out their duties during these incursions, imposing further restrictions on them.
Furthermore, the Israeli Knesset approved in its preliminary reading a draft law that would allow Jews to pray and wear tefillin (prayer objects) in public spaces, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque, without restrictions.
Regarding the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, the Ministry of Awqaf stated that Israeli forces prevented the call to prayer 53 times, and loud celebrations were heard from within the occupied section of the mosque. Several staff members were also barred from entering the mosque without justification, while the daily closure of the market gate continued, obstructing worshippers from reaching the Ibrahimi Mosque.
M.N
