IDF forces and Israeli settlers raided the A-Ras Mosque in Hebron on Friday, expelling worshippers and preventing morning prayers, according to Palestinian news agency WAFA. The report said Israeli flags were hung on walls and roof, and loud Hebrew music was played in the courtyard.
The Palestinian Ministry of Waqf and Religious Affairs condemned the incident, calling it "serious escalation" in attacks on places of worship in Hebron.
Ibrahimi mosque, also known as the cave of Patriarchs, in the old city of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, last week.Credit: Mussa Qawasma/REUTERS
Ibrahimi mosque, also known as the cave of Patriarchs, in the old city of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, last week.Credit: Mussa Qawasma/REUTERS
Palestinian and Waqf officials said Israeli authorities have prevented the Muslim Waqf from activating the muezzin call at the Al-Ibrahimi Mosque in the Cave of the Patriarchs for five days, citing maintenance in the central courtyard. Officials said Mosque Director Mu'taz Abu Sanina and head of staff services were removed for 12 days, the third such removal recently. Abu Sanina said entry for Waqf personnel is restricted and prayers delayed, with worshippers sometimes allowed only after scheduled prayer time, and alleged physical changes beyond maintenance. The Waqf ministry also condemned the actions.
The escalation comes after Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced earlier this month that planning and construction authority in parts of Hebron had been transferred from the Hebron Municipality to the Civil Administration, following a cabinet decision last February. The Civil Administration Supreme Planning Council approved authority changes over eight sites, including the Cave of Patriarchs, Jewish burial sites in H2, and the tomb of Othniel ben Kenaz in H1.
Palestinians wait at an Israeli checkpoint as they head for prayer at the Ibrahimi Mosque, also known as the Cave of Patriarchs, in the old West Bank city of Hebron, last week.Credit: Ammar Awad/REUTERSPalestinians wait at an Israeli checkpoint as they head for prayer at the Ibrahimi Mosque, also known as the Cave of Patriarchs, in the old West Bank city of Hebron, last week.Credit: Ammar Awad/REUTERS
Hundreds of Hezbollah supporters took to the streets of Beirut on Friday night to protest the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel, according to the official Lebanese News Agency.
The demonstrators moved in motorcycle convoys throughout the capital, focusing on the area near the Lebanese parliament and the main road leading to Rafik al-Hariri International Airport, in what was described as a show of force against the deal.
Hezbollah supporters block the old airport road in the southern suburbs of Beirut, in protest of the trilateral agreement signed between the US, Israel and Lebanon, Saturday overnight.Credit: AFP/IBRAHIM AMROHezbollah supporters block the old airport road in the southern suburbs of Beirut, in protest of the trilateral agreement signed between the US, Israel and Lebanon, Saturday overnight.Credit: AFP/IBRAHIM AMRO
Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah said the agreement was a "gift to the Israeli enemy" and warned that its implementation could lead to civil war. He also accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of "negotiating with himself" and said Lebanon's political system lacked "constitutional and national legitimacy." Fadlallah added that "the resistance will stand against any attempt to harm it" and that it would continue to hold on to its weapons.
Last night, Hezbollah thugs attempted to block multiple roads in Beirut in protest against the agreement signed between Lebanon and Israel, before the Lebanese Army intervened and reopened them by force.
During the protests, demonstrators blocked roads and set fire to tires. The Lebanese army deployed reinforcements across several areas in the capital, establishing temporary checkpoints and roadblocks to contain the unrest. According to reports, troops also forcibly cleared some protest sites.
■ The Israeli military said that sirens were triggered in the West Bank settlement of Beit Aryeh-Ofarim following a "suspected terrorist infiltration" after two suspects were reported in the area.
■ The head of Iran's parliamentary committee for national security, Ebrahim Azizi, said that "America has attacked Iran in the midst of negotiations," adding that "the failed U.S. president has once again proven that he has no commitment to the principles of negotiation and cease-fire." He added that the U.S. attack "will, as always, lead to their retreat and regret."
■ U.S. Vice President JD Vance said that the United States has honored the agreement signed with Iran and added that if Tehran has disagreements, it can "pick up the phone," but warned that "violence will be met with violence."
■ Iran's Revolutionary Guards said its response to a fresh U.S. attack against Iran will be "swift and decisive," Iran's State TV reported. IRGC said they repelled an attack by the U.S. against Sirik Island, which is located on the shores of the Strait of Hormuz.
■ U.S. Central Command announced that it has carried out strikes on Iran in response to Thursday's Iranian attack on a vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
■ Israel and Lebanon signed a framework agreement on Friday, after four days of fervent negotiations mediated by the United States, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying that "there is still a lot of work ahead of us." Rubio spoke on the framework agreement between the United States, Israel and Lebanon, pledging financial, military and humanitarian support for Lebanon. He said that the agreement maintains that the three create a trilateral group that would coordinate militarily between all sides to implement the framework, adding that the United States will "remain fully engaged and commit significant resources, including an immediate $100 million in humanitarian assistance in coordination with the UN."
■ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that, according to the framework agreement signed by the United States, Israel and Lebanon, the Israeli army will remain in the vast majority of the "buffer zone" it holds in southern Lebanon. He added that Israel and Lebanon had agreed on two areas where a pilot program would be carried out to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure and transfer control of the territory to the Lebanese army.
The head of Iran's parliamentary committee for national security, Ebrahim Azizi, said on X that "America has attacked Iran in the midst of negotiations," adding that "the failed U.S. president has once again proven that he has no commitment to the principles of negotiation and cease-fire."
He added that the U.S. attack "will, as always, lead to their retreat and regret."
بار دیگر آمریکا در میانه مذاکره به ایران حمله کرده است.
رئیس جمهور شکست خورده آمریکا بار دیگر ثابت کرد که هیچ پایبندی به اصول مذاکره و آتشبس ندارد.
قطعا این نقض نابخردانه آتشبس از سوی آمریکا، مانند همیشه موجب عقب نشینی و پشیمانیشان خواهد شد.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on X that the United States has honored the agreement signed with Iran and added that if Tehran has disagreements, it can "pick up the phone," but warned that "violence will be met with violence."
Iran signed a ceasefire agreement. We have honored it. If they have disagreements about how the MOU is being applied, they can pick up the phone.
