Hamas warns against closure of Ibrahimi Mosque, calls it violation of holy sites

Hamas warned of the danger of the Israeli occupation closing the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, calling it a "direct assault on freedom of worship" and a violation of the sanctity of holy sites. It urged Palestinians to strengthen their presence around the mosque and called on Arab and Islamic countries to take urgent action to stop attacks on holy sites.

Hamas warned of the danger of the Israeli occupation closing the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron to worshippers, considering the step a "direct assault on freedom of worship" and a violation of the sanctity of Islamic holy sites. In a press statement on Wednesday, the movement said the closure of the mosque is part of the "approach of the fascist, extremist occupation government" in targeting the Palestinian people and their land, and accelerating policies of annexation and Judaization. Hamas affirmed that the Ibrahimi Mosque is "an authentic part of the religious, national, and historical identity" of the Palestinian people and the Arab and Islamic nation, stressing that the occupation's attempts to impose division and control over holy sites "will not grant it any right or legitimacy in sovereignty over them." The movement called on Palestinians in Hebron and the West Bank to strengthen their presence around the Ibrahimi Mosque and to confront policies of restriction, Judaization, and targeting of holy sites. It also demanded that Arab and Islamic countries, officially and popularly, assume their responsibilities and take urgent action to stop attacks on the Ibrahimi Mosque, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and all Islamic holy sites.