Storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque During Sukkot
In a significant escalation of tensions in Jerusalem, hundreds of Israeli settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque, coinciding with the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. According to the Islamic Endowments Department in Jerusalem, approximately 1,780 settlers entered the mosque on Sunday alone, marking the fifth day of the week-long holiday. This incursion occurred amid heightened security measures, including road closures and a substantial presence of Israeli forces throughout the city.
The ongoing situation has raised alarms among Palestinian authorities and human rights organizations, who report that the Israeli police have permitted these incursions since 2003, despite opposition from the Islamic Waqf Department. The Wadi Hilweh Human Rights Information Center confirmed that the raids were conducted under heavy police presence, further complicating the already tense atmosphere in Jerusalem.
Closure of Ibrahimi Mosque
Simultaneously, the Israeli authorities announced the closure of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, effectively preventing worshippers from accessing the site during the Sukkot holiday. Ghassan Al-Rajabi, the Director General of Palestinian Endowments in Hebron, stated that this decision was communicated to the Palestinian Civil Liaison and is part of an ongoing strategy to enforce a temporal and spatial division at the religious site. The mosque, which is revered by both Muslims and Jews, has been a focal point of contention, with settlers occupying significant portions of its corridors for religious rituals.
Al-Rajabi criticized the closure as an attempt to alter the status quo and marginalize Muslim worshippers, asserting that such actions aim to create a new reality favoring permanent settler presence at the site. The Ibrahimi Mosque, which is also known as the Cave of the Patriarchs, is historically significant, believed to be the burial site of the Prophet Abraham, and has been a site of religious pilgrimage for centuries.
Ongoing Tensions in the Region
The simultaneous incidents at both Al-Aqsa and Ibrahimi Mosques highlight the ongoing tensions in the region, particularly during religious holidays. The closures and restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities have sparked outrage among Palestinians, who view these actions as violations of their religious rights. As the Sukkot holiday continues, observers are concerned about the potential for further escalations in violence and the implications for peace in the region.
