Israel transfers planning authority for Hebron religious site to Israeli control

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced on Tuesday that Israel has seized planning and construction powers for the Tomb of the Patriarchs and the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron. This move overrides parts of the 1997 Hebron Agreement, which previously granted these administrative powers to Palestinian authorities. Smotrich signed the transfer on Monday, stating the change aims to strengthen Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank. The site, located in the Old City of Hebron, is a UNESCO-recognized Palestinian World Heritage site and a long-standing flashpoint for conflict. The Palestinian presidency under Mahmoud Abbas condemned the decision, labeling it a violation of international law and an infringement on the legal status of the city. While the Israeli government views the move as an administrative adjustment for security and settler interests, critics emphasize the shift contradicts the existing legal framework governing the region. The decision comes as the Israeli government faces internal political pressures ahead of upcoming elections.