(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Israeli occupation authorities informed on Sunday the directorate of Awqaf in al-Khalil in the southern West Bank, about its decision to close the Ibrahimi Mosque to Muslim worshipers for the coming couple of days, to enable settlers to celebrate Jewish holidays.

The Directorate of Awqaf in al-Khalil said that the closure came in the framework of settlers' celebrations of their Jewish New Year, during which the occupation prevent Muslim worshipers from entering to the Ibrahimi Mosque.

Israeli authorities usually close the Mosque for a period of ten days each year according to the recommendations of the Israeli Shamgar Commission, which had divided the Mosque between Muslims and Jews and put a schedule to close it to Muslims during Jewish holidays.

The Directorate of Awqaf condemned these arbitrary measures against places of worship and considered it an infringement on religions and freedom of worship, guaranteed by international laws.

It also stressed that the occupation authorities have been deliberately continuing this policy, in order to impose and tighten their control on the Ibrahimi Mosque.

Meanwhile, the occupation forces handed over on Sunday, three notifications to seize lands near the Ibrahimi Mosque in the old town of al-Khalil.

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