Illegal Israeli settlers and soldiers break into Ibrahimi Mosque at dark

Published today 10:28

 Hebron – Ma’an –

 At least 140 illegal Israeli settlers, protected by a dozen Israeli occupation forces jeeps, took over the area around the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, entered the building and performed ceremonies for the Jewish Yom Kippur holiday on Thursday night.

The Mosque, also known as the Tomb of the Patriarchs, was divided into two sections in the 1990s following the attack of a Jewish extremist on Muslim worshipers. The site, sacred to both Muslims and Jews, is heavily guarded by Israeli soldiers who ostensibly protect the Israeli settlers who worship in the Jewish section of the building. The site was closed to Muslim worshipers during the Eid holiday and handed over to Israeli control for the Rosh Hashana Jewish holiday.

The second total takeover of the area, which was not announced in advance, was received by many in the area as a warning sign. Head of Waqf department in Hebron, Zaid Al-Ja’abarai called the incident “dangerous, as it warns of bad consequences.” He said it was the first time so many settlers had descended on the area without prior notification since before the separation of the building into two parts.

The Hebron Waqf directorate and the Palestinian Ministry of Waqf issued a statement saying they “rejected the actions,” where Israeli settlers were permitted access to the Muslim, and Palestinian Christian side, of the building. Al-Ja’abari said he feared the effort signaled an Israeli drive to take over the entire building and turn it into a synagogue.

Israeli occupation forces invade village home, kidnap 16-year-old boy

Published today 10:47

Salfit – Ma’an –

Israeli occupation forces overran the northern West Bank village of Kifl Haris village Thursday night and detained one Palestinian youth.

The media office of the Palestinian police department identified the child as 16-year-old Mahmoud Muhammad Ayyoub Boziyah. He was taken from his home.