Israel removed Palestinians from the management of a mosque in Hebron
Israel's Finance Minister announced the cancellation of part of the 1997 agreement, stripping Palestinian authorities of their powers in the area of the mosque.
On June 17, 2026, Israeli authorities seized oversight powers over construction and zoning of the territory of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, effectively removing the Palestinian administration from management. This was reported by Al Jazeera.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that he had "annulled" provisions of the 1997 Hebron Agreement that gave the Palestinian municipal council the right to control planning in that zone. According to the official, this "historic step" is aimed at finally consolidating "Israeli sovereignty" over the West Bank.
All three Abrahamic religions believe that it is here, in the Old City of Hebron, that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their wives are buried.
Jews and Christians call it the Tomb — or the Cave of the Patriarchs.
The Palestinian side has already described Israel's actions as a "racist decision" and a gross encroachment on the political and legal status of Hebron. Experts note that the transfer of authority to the Israeli Supreme Planning Council deprives the municipality of the ability to challenge settlement construction or any changes to the appearance of the mosque.
Until now, management had been governed by the 1997 agreement, which divided the city into zones of influence but left the Palestinian Authority with the right to oversee civilian construction throughout Hebron.
Bezalel Smotrich, who consistently advocates for the elimination of the idea of Palestinian statehood, emphasized that Israel will now independently decide matters of development near holy sites.
Observers warn that changing the existing status quo in Hebron — one of the most tense cities in the region — could provoke a new round of interfaith confrontation.
As reported by SPZh, Israeli authorities decided to transfer security of the Al-Aqsa Mosque to religious Jews.
