Israel closes Ibrahimi mosque on Jewish holiday

 Israeli police announced on Tuesday that Muslim and non-Jewish worshipers would be denied access to the Ibrahimi mosque in the southern occupied West Bank city of al-Khalil ('Hebron') on Tuesday and Wednesday, only permitting Jews access to the holy site for the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

Israeli police spokesperson Luba al-Samri said in a statement the closures would be in effect from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. on both Tuesday and Wednesday, during which time thousands of Jewish visitors were expected to visit the site, which is known to Jews as the Cave of Patriarchs.

She added that Israeli forces would be heavily deployed in the area "to guarantee public safety and security."

The closure to the mosque came amid heightened security measures implemented by Israeli authorities this month for the Jewish high holiday season, where Palestinians have been banned from traveling in and out of the occupied West Bank and blockaded Gaza Strip.