Israeli settlers enter Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, Al Jazeera reports

Al Jazeera reported Monday that a large crowd of Israeli settlers entered the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, in the occupied West Bank. Palestinians had restricted access to the site.

Al Jazeera reported that the settlers were caught entering the mosque as Israeli forces increased security in Hebron during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, Israeli authorities closed the mosque to Muslim worshipers during the holiday, allowing Jewish settlers to visit.

The Ibrahimi Mosque, also called the Cave of the Patriarchs, is an important religious site for both Muslims and Jews. It’s divided into separate sections for Muslim and Jewish worshipers and has seen restrictions and closures during religious holidays.

Hebron is split into areas administered by Palestinians and the H2 area, which is still under Israeli security control.

Reports say the settlers arrive as tensions remain high in the West Bank, with Israeli military operations, settler activity and restrictions on Palestinian movement fueling tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.