Israeli Occupation Forces on Friday closed al-Ibrahimi Mosque in al-Khalil city and banned Muslim worshipers from performing Friday prayer. Meanwhile the holy site was opened for settlers to celebrate Jewish New Year in its internal and external plazas.
Coordinator of Human Rights Defenders Imad Abu Shamsiyeh told SAFA news agency that IOF soldiers blocked all the barriers and gates to the mosque and barred Awqaf employees from accessing the holy place or calling for prayers from inside starting from Thursday evening until Friday evening.
Israeli occupation authorities each year close the gates of al-Ibrahimi Mosque before Muslims for nearly ten days in order to allow settlers celebrate Jewish holidays within the holy shrine facilities.
