Hamas calls for mobilisation after Israeli settlers enter Ibrahimi Mosque

A Hamas official denounced the entry of hundreds of Israeli settlers into the Ibrahimi Mosque in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, accompanied by rabbis and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, Al Jazeera reported. Abdul Rahman Shadid, a Hamas official, called the action “a new escalation” and an assault on Palestinian holy sites and Muslims' feelings. He accused Israel of making Hebron “a military barracks” and imposing tighter restrictions on residents. Shadid urged Palestinians in the occupied West Bank to gather at the mosque to defend it, saying Israeli actions would strengthen Palestinians’ connection to their holy sites and stir anger. Israeli flags on the Ibrahimi Mosque in occupied West Bank, 21 April 2026 (Hazem Bader/AFP)