Occupation Forces Attack Worshipers at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Al-Khalil
The occupation forces fire tear-gas and stun grenades at worshipers at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Al-Khalil.
Al Mayadeen correspondent reported that the occupation forces fired teargasses and stun grenades at worshipers at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Al-Khalil.
On Friday, the Israeli occupation forces tightened their restrictions imposed on worshipers entering the Ibrahimi Mosque, the center of Al-Khalil, in the southern West Bank.
Prayers in the mosque are subject to strict security restrictions, as worshipers must pass several barriers and electronic gates before reaching the stairs leading to the prayer gathering point.
#شاهد| قوات الاحتلال تطلق قنابل الصوت والغاز لتفريق المصلين في ساحات المسجد الإبراهيمي بـــ #الخليل pic.twitter.com/Uq9Ye9nyuv
— المقدسي للإعلام (@AlmakdesyMedia) August 13, 2021
On Thursday, the Ministry of Religious Affairs announced the closure of all mosques in the city of Al-Khalil and asked worshipers to perform Friday prayers in the Ibrahimi Mosque, “in denunciation of the occupation's measures” there.
Last Tuesday, the occupation began excavations on the southern side of the mosque to establish a parking lot and an electric elevator adjacent to the mosque, despite the Palestinian government’s objection. The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced last Monday, that “based on the decision of Defense Minister Benny Gantz, work has begun to facilitate access to the Ibrahimi Mosque.”
#شاهد| توافد المصلين للمسجد الإبراهيمي في #الخليل لأداء صلاة الجمعة والتصدي لمخططات الاحتلال ومشاريعه التهويدية فيه pic.twitter.com/fOGHmBQKBX
— المقدسي للإعلام (@AlmakdesyMedia) August 13, 2021
The Palestinian Ministry says that the goal of the project is to Judaize the mosque and facilitate the settlers' intrusion.
تواصل السلطات الإسرائيلية عملية بناء المصعد داخل الحرم الإبراهيمي في الخليل بالضفة الغربية.
— صور فلسطين (@PalestinianPic) August 11, 2021
📸 مأمون وزواز pic.twitter.com/ydtP8kDYRl
In a related context, settlers stormed this morning the archaeological sites in the town of Beit Ummar, north of Al-Khalil, and carried out provocative tours under the protection of the Israeli occupation army.
The Israeli attacks on the mosque come 4 years after the inclusion of the Ibrahimi Mosque and the Old City of Al-Khalil on the World Heritage List by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.