Hebron: A limited number of Palestinians gathered on Wednesday to perform Eid al-Adha prayers at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, located in the occupied West Bank, amidst stringent Israeli restrictions. The Israeli army had closed the gates of the mosque and conducted searches at the entrances, causing delays and forcing some worshippers to seek alternative locations for prayer.
According to Anadolu Agency, Israeli forces fired stun grenades near the mosque, which led to panic among the approximately 300 worshippers present. Hebron Governor Khaled Dudin reported that the number of worshippers attending was significantly lower than usual, with only about 30% of the typical turnout. He described the situation as a form of "religious replacement and religious terror" within the mosque.
Dudin emphasized the importance of maintaining a presence at the Ibrahimi Mosque to protect its Islamic and historical significance, which dates back over 4,000 years. The mosque, situated in the Old City of Hebron, remains under full Israeli control, with around 400 Israeli settlers residing in the area under the protection of approximately 1,500 Israeli soldiers.
In 1994, the mosque was divided, with 63% allocated to Jews and 37% to Muslims, following a massacre by a Jewish settler that resulted in the deaths of 29 Palestinian worshippers. Previously, the mosque was fully accessible to Muslims during religious occasions such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, though access has faced increasing restrictions recently.
The situation in the West Bank has been tense since the onset of the Israeli war on Gaza in October 2023. There has been an escalation in attacks by the Israeli army and settlers, particularly targeting rural and Bedouin areas near settlements and outposts. The Palestinian government media office reported that approximately 1,200 Palestinians have been killed, over 12,600 injured, and 33,000 displaced in the West Bank.
In Bethlehem, another city in the southern West Bank, Palestinians performed Eid al-Adha prayers in Manger Square. Bethlehem's Mufti, Sheikh Abdul Majid Amarna, conveyed a message of resilience, stating that the Palestinian nation cannot be uprooted despite the efforts of its adversaries. He affirmed the Palestinian people's commitment to remaining steadfast in the face of restriction and siege.
This year's Eid al-Adha is observed by thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza amidst ongoing war, blockade, and military escalation. The holiday commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim, known as Abraham to Christians and Jews, to sacrifice his son at God's command.