ISTANBUL

Palestinian officials said Israeli restrictions on prayer at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron “violate freedom of worship” and aim to assert control over the two holy sites.

Israel has kept Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem closed since the start of the US-Israeli attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, while allowing only about 50 worshippers to pray at Ibrahimi Mosque in the occupied West Bank.

Maarouf al-Rifai, media advisor to the Governorate of Jerusalem, said Israeli authorities have kept Al-Aqsa closed for 13 consecutive days and barred worshippers from performing prayers there during the final 10 days of Ramadan.

“Israeli occupation authorities continue to close Al-Aqsa Mosque and prevent worshippers from praying there during the last days of Ramadan,” al-Rifai said.

He said Israel had prevented two consecutive Friday prayers at the site, including the final Friday of the fasting month.

“These measures represent a violation of freedom of worship and an escalation targeting the historical and legal status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque,” al-Rifai added.

He also warned of calls by illegal settler groups to increase incursions into the mosque compound and perform religious rituals there during the Jewish holiday of Passover, April 1-8.

Al-Rifai said the continued closure prevents thousands of worshippers from reaching the mosque and observing Laylat al-Qadr, considered the holiest night in Islam, during the final days of Ramadan, when large numbers of Palestinians usually gather for prayers.

“This cannot be considered a security measure as the occupation authorities claim,” he said.

“It is a systematic political decision aimed at imposing control over Al-Aqsa and undermining the historical and legal role of the Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem, which is affiliated with Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.”

Al-Rifai called on the international community and human rights organizations to intervene urgently, stressing that Palestinians remain committed to their right to access and pray at Al-Aqsa.

In Hebron, Ibrahimi Mosque Director Moataz Abu Sneineh said Israeli authorities have imposed strict restrictions on prayers at the site.

He told Anadolu that Israel has allowed only 50 worshippers to enter for each prayer since last Friday.

Abu Sneineh described the measure as “arbitrary” and a violation of international law and freedom of worship, calling for the mosque to be opened to all worshippers without restrictions.

“We remain present at the mosque even with small numbers to protect it and prevent any harm,” he said, adding, “Ibrahimi Mosque is an Islamic endowment belonging solely to Muslims, and we demand it be opened to all worshippers.”

He said Israel had completely closed the mosque at the start of the US-Israeli attacks on Iran, before partially reopening it last Friday.

Israel divided the Ibrahimi Mosque in 1994, allocating about 63% of the site to Jewish worshippers and 37% to Muslims, after a settler massacre on Feb. 25 of that year that killed 29 Muslim worshippers.

The mosque is normally opened fully to Muslim worshippers only 10 days each year, including Fridays during Ramadan, Laylat al-Qadr, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Israʾ and Miʿraj, the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, and the Islamic New Year.

During the final days of Ramadan, the mosque is usually crowded with worshippers and fully opened to Muslims on the 27th night of Ramadan and during Eid. It remains unclear whether Israel will allow this year.

Ibrahimi Mosque is located in Hebron’s Old City, an area under full Israeli control.

*Writing by Lina Altawell