HEBRON, October 8, 2026 (WAFA) — Israeli forces, accompanied by groups of colonists, raided the headquarters of the Al-Hurriya Center for Culture and Folk Arts in the town of Al-Ramadin, south of the Hebron Governorate, on Thursday, and arbitrarily shut down its premises.

Local sources reported that Israeli forces raided the center, removed and confiscated the Palestinian flag displayed inside its premises, searched the books in its library, and confiscated the ID card of the center’s director, Ahmed Afheid Zagharna, before leaving the site.

The Ministry of Culture denounced the incursion and closure of the center, affirming that targeting cultural institutions and their staff constitutes a violation of the right to cultural activity and freedom of expression.

 It further described the move as an attempt to undermine the role these institutions play in safeguarding national identity and bolstering the steadfastness of residents, particularly in targeted areas.

The Ministry affirmed its support for the Al-Hurriya Center for Culture and Folk Arts in Al-Ramadin and its staff, pledging to continue supporting Palestinian cultural institutions and centers, and to document violations against the Palestinian cultural sector and its institutions.

Y.S