HEBRON, September 16, 2026 (WAFA) — Israeli forces closed the Ibrahimi Mosque to the public until Thursday evening, citing the need to secure colonist celebrations of Jewish holidays. They also disrupted educational activities at Al-Faiha’a Elementary School for Girls and completely halted them at Al-Ibrahimi Elementary School for Boys.

Amjad Karajah, the Director of Hebron’s Endowments (Awqaf), condemned the closure of the Ibrahimi Mosque, justified by the need to secure colonist holiday celebrations, describing it as a flagrant violation of the site's sanctity and an infringement on Muslims' right to access their places of worship.

WAFA correspondent reported that occupation forces tightened military measures around the Ibrahimi Mosque and closed the military checkpoints and electronic gates leading to it. This obstructed students and teaching staff from reaching Al-Ibrahimi Elementary School for Boys and Al-Faiha’a Elementary School for Girls, resulting in a complete halt to education at the boys' school and significant disruption at the girls' school.

He added that occupation forces intensified their military presence at the entrances leading to the Ibrahimi Mosque to secure settler access to Hebron and archaeological sites, and also closed several gates leading to the Old City markets.

He noted that these actions coincided with tightened military measures at checkpoints established by occupation forces at the entrances to the Jaber, Al-Salaymeh, Ghaith, and Wadi Al-Hussein neighborhoods—areas adjacent to the "Kiryat Arba" settlement, which was built on Palestinian land east of Hebron.

The occupation exploits Jewish holidays to close roads and impose severe restrictions on Palestinian movement in the West Bank, including Jerusalem. These measures exacerbate daily suffering and deepen restrictions on freedom of worship and movement, all while privileges and facilities are granted to colonists.

Y.S