International
Ibrahimi Mosque Shut to Muslims as Israel Imposes Curfew in Hebron
Israel has closed the Ibrahimi Mosque in occupied Hebron to Muslim worshippers and imposed a strict curfew across the Old City, citing Jewish religious festivities as the reason for the restrictions. The measures have disrupted daily life for many Palestinians, leaving numerous residents unable to return home.
Aref Jaber, a member of the Hebron Defense Committee, told Anadolu Agency that Israeli forces sealed all military checkpoints on Friday morning and completely halted movement in and out of the Old City. As a result, many Palestinians were forced to spend the night at relatives’ homes in other parts of Hebron. He added that hundreds of Israeli settlers, escorted by heavily armed soldiers, held two “provocative” marches on Friday night and Saturday morning.
Jaber alleged that the curfew forms part of a broader Israeli effort to seize full control of the Ibrahimi Mosque and convert the remaining Muslim section into a synagogue. The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Affairs reported that since early 2025, Israel has kept the mosque’s historic Sukk Gate and eastern main entrance closed daily and has even covered its windows.
Situated in Hebron’s Old City, the Ibrahimi Mosque is under full Israeli control. Around 400 settlers live in the surrounding area, guarded by approximately 1,500 soldiers. Following the 1994 massacre of Muslim worshippers, Israel divided the mosque—allocating 63% to Jewish worship and 37% to Muslims. During major religious festivals, the mosque is fully closed to one side.
However, since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, the full access previously granted to Muslim worshippers has not been reinstated.
A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia’s North Maluku province, though authorities reported no casualties or damage. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency confirmed that the quake originated 10 kilometres beneath the surface.
The tremor hit the Halmahera region on Sunday and comes as Indonesia continues to experience frequent seismic activity due to its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where several tectonic plates converge.
Meanwhile, a separate 5.3-magnitude earthquake shook Myanmar’s coastal region the same morning. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake struck at 10:39am Bangladesh time, with its epicentre located in the Andaman Sea, about 267 kilometres west-southwest of Dawei. The tremor was also felt in parts of neighbouring Thailand, though no damage has been reported.
Just two days earlier, on 21 November, a 5.7-magnitude earthquake jolted several parts of Bangladesh, including Dhaka. The quake, which originated in Narsingdi’s Madhabdi area, left 10 people dead and many others injured.
Despite a six-week-long ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, at least 24 Palestinians have been killed in renewed Israeli air and drone strikes. The attacks, which began early Saturday, also left 87 others injured, according to local health authorities. Children are reported to be among the dead.
Witnesses said the first strike targeted a car in northern Gaza City, followed by successive attacks in Deir al-Balah and the Nuseirat refugee camp. In Gaza City’s Rimal area, a drone strike killed 11 people and injured 20 others. Rami Muhanna, director of Al-Shifa Hospital, confirmed that many of the wounded remain in critical condition.
In Deir al-Balah, a strike on a residential house left three people dead, including a woman. The blast was so powerful that nearby residents fled in panic. “This cannot be called a ceasefire,” said eyewitness Khalil Abu Hatab. “There is no safe place left.”
Hamas has accused Israel of repeatedly violating ceasefire terms and has urged the United States to intervene immediately. The group claims the strikes are targeting civilians and called for stronger international action to halt the attacks.
International observers warn that the renewed violence could escalate tensions further amid Gaza’s deepening humanitarian crisis.
The United States has designated Saudi Arabia as one of its most important non-NATO military allies, President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday during a White House dinner held in honour of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to Al Jazeera.
Trump said the official designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally would elevate military cooperation between the two countries. The United States has granted this status to only 19 nations so far. He added that the decision had been kept confidential until the event at Saudi Arabia’s request.
The President also noted that the Crown Prince would play a role in a council being formed to establish peace in Gaza, adding that he himself would serve as its chairman, as previously stated.
Earlier, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in the United States for the meeting. Discussions covered military cooperation, nuclear technology, artificial intelligence, and increased Saudi investments in the US. The Crown Prince announced plans to raise Saudi investments from 600 billion USD to 1 trillion USD.
Talks also included potential sales of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.
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