The Israeli occupation army has imposed a strict curfew and lockdown on several Palestinian neighborhoods in the heart of al-Khalil (Hebron), deepening the daily suffering of residents under the pretext of “security measures” for the Jewish Sukkot holiday.

According to local sources, occupation forces on Monday evening notified Palestinian residents of the Old City of al-Khalil that they were to remain indoors until further notice — without specifying when the curfew would end. The move effectively turned the historic city center into a military zone, trapping hundreds of families inside their homes.

Eyewitnesses said dozens of heavily armed Israeli soldiers were deployed throughout the streets, particularly in Wadi al-Husayn, a neighborhood adjacent to illegal Israeli settlements built on stolen Palestinian land. The sudden curfew has cut residents off from food, medical care, and access to their workplaces, leaving many fearing further escalation.

In a parallel act of provocation, the occupation authorities announced the closure of the Ibrahimi Mosque to Muslim worshippers on Wednesday and Thursday, citing “Sukkot celebrations.” This closure — a recurring tactic used by the Israeli occupation during Jewish holidays — deprives thousands of Palestinians of their right to pray at one of Islam’s holiest and most historic sites.

Palestinian activists condemned the decision as part of the ongoing Judaization campaign in al-Khalil, where Israeli settlers — protected by soldiers — have gradually taken over parts of the Old City. The closure of the Ibrahimi Mosque, they said, represents not only religious discrimination but also a systematic attempt to erase Palestinian presence from the city’s sacred and cultural landmarks.

Human rights observers have repeatedly denounced Israel’s apartheid practices in al-Khalil, where over 400 illegal settlers live under the protection of thousands of soldiers, while over 200,000 Palestinians endure daily restrictions on movement, frequent raids, and violent harassment.

The new curfew coincides with increasing settler violence across the occupied West Bank, as extremist settlers exploit religious holidays to storm Palestinian neighborhoods, desecrate holy sites, and intimidate civilians — all under the protection of Israeli forces.

Local residents expressed outrage, saying the occupation’s pretext of “security” is used to justify collective punishment and reinforce settler dominance in al-Khalil.

“Every holiday for them means humiliation for us,” said one resident of the Old City. “They celebrate while we are locked inside our homes, forbidden to pray, forbidden to live freely in our own land.”

As the occupation continues its systematic oppression, Palestinians in al-Khalil remain steadfast — preserving their presence, guarding their mosques, and reaffirming their unwavering commitment to resist Israel’s apartheid system and defend their sacred sites from desecration. (ILKHA)