Israeli authorities have closed the Ibrahimi Mosque in the occupied West Bank district of Hebron to Muslim worshippers reportedly in response to Jewish celebrations at the site, Ma’an reported.

    Israeli forces surrounded the premises and prevented Muslims from entering as they escorted Israeli settlers to the mosque. Locals told Ma’an that Israeli forces are conducting security procedures to obstruct the entrance of Palestinian worshippers, while further isolating the site from other areas in Hebron.

    The Palestinian Human Rights Organizations Council reported in a statement that Israeli authorities since early July have begun to build a security room at the southern entrance of the mosque which would reportedly replace the current electronic security checkpoints. The group said the changes are an attempt to maximize security around the mosque and make it permanent.

    The council added that Palestinians have the right to movement and to practice religious rituals at Muslim holy sites, while calling upon the international communuity to "quickly intervene" in the situation in order to guarantee Israel abides by international law.

    The Ibrahimi Mosque, believed to be the burial place of the prophet Abraham, is located in central Hebron, a frequent site of tensions due to the presence of 500 Israeli settlers in the Old City.

Source: QNA