Palestinian Muslim worshippers cross Israeli security barriers today (April 8th) as they made their way to attend the first Friday prayers of Ramadan at Ibrahimi Mosque, in the West Bank city of Hebron.

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: Hebron- 08 April 2022. Palestinian Muslim worshippers cross Israeli security barriers as they make their way to attend the first Friday prayers of Ramadan at Ibrahimi Mosque, in the West Bank city of Hebron.

0.1 SOUNDBITE (in Arabic) Raed Abu Rumaila, citizen.
0.2 SOUNDBITE (in Arabic) Aref Jaber, citizen.

STORYLINE:

Al-Haram al-Ibrahimi is located at the southeast corner of modern Hebron and in the heart of its old town. It is considered the fourth holiest site in Islam and the second holiest site in Palestine. Historical evidence suggests that the Prophet Ibrahim/Abraham resided in Hebron approximately four thousand years ago. He chose Hebron as a burial place for his wife Sarah, and later for himself, his son Isaac, his grandson Jacob and their wives. According to some sources, it also houses the tomb of Joseph.

In 1967, the Israeli military forces took control of the city of Hebron and Al-Ibrahimi Mosque. In 1994, a Jewish extremist massacred 29 Palestinian Muslim worshippers gathered in the mosque for Ramadan prayer. Today, the Israeli military authorities deny Palestinians access to large parts of the mosque and have installed electronic gates at its entrances.



Footage by APAwire