HEBRON, October 8, 2017 (WAFA) – Israeli authorities shut down the Ibrahimi Mosque (Cave of the Patriarchs) in Hebron on Sunday in order to make way for Jewish celebrations on the occasion of the Sukkot holiday.

Hafzi Abu Sneneh, director of the mosque, said he was informed that the site would be shut down to Muslim worshipers from 10:00 pm Sunday until Tuesday night. He added that call for prayer will also be banned during the shutdown period.

At the same time, the site will remain open to Jewish settlers to celebrate the Sukkot festival.

Almost on all Jewish occasions, Israel imposes strict restrictions on the entry of Palestinians and Muslims to the Islamic site.

The mosque is located in the Old City neighborhood of Hebron, a few hundred meters away from the part of the city illegally occupied by around 400 extremist settlers, who are protected by about 1,500 Israeli soldiers.

In 1994, Israel divided the Mosque between Muslims and Jews, after an Israeli settler gunned down 30 Palestinians during dawn prayer.

M.N