Israel has removed Palestinian authority over the historic Ibrahimi Mosque, transferring planning and construction powers to Israeli institutions, according to reports on January 2, 2026. Palestinian officials warned that this move would strengthen Israel’s control over the occupied West Bank city and risk permanently altering the site’s status.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned the decision, calling it a direct violation of the mosque’s legal and historical status. The ministry said the cancellation of municipal and Islamic Waqf jurisdiction was part of a broader effort to impose unilateral Israeli control. Palestinian officials also denounced Israel’s approval to build a roof over the mosque’s courtyard, describing it as illegal and contrary to international law and UN resolutions.

The ministry emphasized that the move was not about development but a deliberate attempt to consolidate occupation and forcibly change the character of one of Palestine’s most significant religious and cultural landmarks.