Smotrich says he’s ‘abolished Hebron agreement,’ given Israel more power in flashpoint city
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has abolished the Hebron Agreement, removing planning and construction powers from the local municipality. Israeli authorities are now moving to take control of the Cave of the Patriarchs, also known as the Ibrahimi Mosque. These actions coincide with increased physical restrictions throughout the city.
What changed
New reports detail the transfer of shrine control and the installation of 106 iron gates in Hebron.
Live updates
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Israel Tightens Control Over Hebron and Ibrahimi Mosque
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has abolished the Hebron Agreement, removing planning and construction powers from the local municipality. Israeli authorities are now moving to take control of the Cave of the Patriarchs, also known as the Ibrahimi Mosque. These actions coincide with increased physical restrictions throughout the city.
What's confirmed:
- Bezalel Smotrich announced the cancellation of the Hebron Agreement.
- The Hebron Municipality lost its planning and construction powers in parts of the city.
- Israeli authorities are transferring control of the Cave of the Patriarchs, or Ibrahimi Mosque.
Still unconfirmed:
- Israel has sealed Hebron with 106 iron gates.
- Heavy machinery and steel lifting equipment are being used to roof the Ibrahimi Mosque courtyard.
- Israeli forces are preventing the call to prayer from being raised.
confidence 80%Sources used for this update (7)
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Finance Minister Smotrich cancels Hebron Agreement
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the cancellation of the Hebron Agreement. This move strips the Hebron Municipality of its planning and construction powers in parts of the city. Smotrich holds roles as finance minister and minister of defense in charge of civilian affairs in the West Bank.
What's confirmed:
- Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the Hebron Agreement had been canceled.
- Israeli authorities stripped Hebron Municipality of its planning and construction powers in parts of the city.
- Bezalel Smotrich has served as finance minister since December 2022.
Still unconfirmed:
- The Hebron planning takeover may serve as a blueprint for annexing the West Bank.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (7)
- Israel | Israel | Today's latest from Al Jazeera
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- Israel News | Israel National News
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Smotrich Annuls Hebron Accords to Seize Planning Powers
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has nullified the Hebron Accords. This action strips the Palestinian municipality of planning and construction authority. Israel now claims exclusive control over the Ibrahimi Mosque and surrounding areas.
What's confirmed:
- Bezalel Smotrich annulled the Hebron Accords.
- Israel seized planning and construction powers from the Palestinian municipality in Hebron.
- Israel claims exclusive control over the Ibrahimi Mosque.
Still unconfirmed:
- The annulment is being used to expand existing squatter communities with US funding.
- The establishment of an Emirate of Hebron has been raised again.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (6)
- 'Emirate of Hebron' Raised Again According to Smotrich's Arrangements
- The Times of Israel Daily Briefing - Podbean
- Bezalel Smotrich Articles and latest stories | The Jerusalem Post
- Israel News | Israeli Politics - Latest News - i24NEWS
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Smotrich cancels Hebron agreements to shift power to Israeli authorities
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has nullified the Hebron agreements in the occupied West Bank. This move transfers planning and construction powers from the Hebron Municipality to Israel. Israeli authorities now claim control over the Ibrahimi Mosque.
What's confirmed:
- Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich cancelled the Hebron agreements in the southern occupied West Bank.
- Israel transferred the powers of these agreements to Israeli authorities.
- The Hebron Municipality lost its planning and construction powers.
- Palestinians lost authority over the Cave of Patriarchs, also known as the Ibrahimi Mosque.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (2)
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Smotrich revokes Hebron Protocol to seize control of key sites
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has nullified the 1997 Hebron Agreement. This action removes Palestinian Authority oversight of construction and holy sites. Israel now claims direct control over the Ibrahimi Mosque.
What's confirmed:
- Bezalel Smotrich declared the 1997 Hebron Agreement null.
- Israel has taken control of construction at key sites including the Ibrahimi Mosque.
Still unconfirmed:
- The Hebron mayor claims these unilateral changes breach agreements and threaten regional stability.
- The move follows the approval of 576 new settler housing units.
- Israel's Foreign Ministry denies any changes to the agreement.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (2)
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Smotrich abolishes Hebron agreement, seizes control of mosque and planning
Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has declared the 1997 Hebron Agreement null, stripping Palestinian Authority oversight of construction and holy sites. The move includes approval for 576 new settler housing units and direct Israeli control of the Ibrahimi Mosque. The US and Palestinians have condemned the shift, while Israel’s Foreign Ministry denies any change to the agreement. This escalation follows decades of limited Israeli authority in Hebron’s H1 area.
What's confirmed:
- Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced on Tuesday that the 1997 Hebron Agreement with the Palestinian Authority has been 'cancelled', ending shared planning authority over the city.
- Israel has approved 576 new housing units in Hebron, including a 1,000-square-meter building for a settler yeshiva, marking a direct challenge to Palestinian autonomy.
- Smotrich stated Israel has stripped Hebron’s municipality of planning authority over Jewish communities and holy sites, consolidating Israeli control.
- The US and Palestinian factions have condemned Israel’s unilateral move, calling it a violation of past agreements.
- Israel’s Foreign Ministry has denied any change to the Hebron Agreement, contradicting Smotrich’s statement.
Still unconfirmed:
- A dispute persists over whether the Hebron Agreement has been formally terminated, with some reports suggesting the move is still under legal review.
confidence 97%Sources used for this update (8)
- Israel takes control of Hebron’s Ibrahimi Mosque: What this means
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- Smotrich announces end of Hebron Protocol - Israel National News
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- Dispute Over the Hebron Agreement—Terminated or Not?
- Israel strips Hebron municipality of key powers granted under 1997 deal | Daily Sabah
- Israel seizes more control in West Bank
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Smotrich’s Hebron move: Israel seizes control of planning, approves settler construction
Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has declared the 1997 Hebron Agreement abolished, transferring full Israeli authority over construction and planning in the city. The Israeli government has approved 576 new housing units, including a 1,000-square-meter building for a settler yeshiva, marking a direct challenge to Palestinian autonomy. The US and Palestinian factions have condemned the unilateral shift, while Israel’s Foreign Ministry denies any change to the agreement. This escalation follows decades of limited Israeli oversight in Hebron’s H1 area.
What's confirmed:
- Israel’s Higher Planning Council approved 576 housing units in Hebron’s H1 area, including a 1,000-square-meter building for Shavei Hebron Yeshiva, days after Smotrich’s announcement.
- The move contradicts Israel’s Foreign Ministry, which insists the 1997 Hebron Agreement remains in effect and that Palestinian oversight of construction in H1 is unchanged.
- Palestinian officials and Muslim groups have condemned the construction approvals as a violation of past accords, with some calling it a step toward unilateral annexation.
- The US has warned against any actions that undermine the two-state solution or violate international law, framing the construction push as destabilizing.
- This is the first time in decades that Israel has approved major construction in Hebron’s H1 area without Palestinian consent.
Still unconfirmed:
- Smotrich has fully abolished the Hebron Agreement, though the Foreign Ministry has not confirmed this as official government policy.
confidence 88%Sources used for this update (5)
- Historic construction in Hebron receives green light
- Israel Approves Settler Building Plans in Palestinian West Bank City
- Israel approves settler building plans in Palestinian West Bank city
- Israel approves Hebron construction without Palestinian consent for ...
- The Daily Edition - The Times of Israel
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Smotrich claims Hebron agreement abolished, Israel seizes mosque city powers
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the abolition of the 1997 Hebron Agreement, transferring control of planning and construction in Hebron—including the Ibrahimi Mosque—from Palestinian to Israeli authority. The move contradicts Israel’s Foreign Ministry, which insists the agreement remains intact. Palestinians and Muslim groups have condemned the action as a violation of past accords, while the US warned against unilateral annexation efforts. Construction approvals in Hebron without Palestinian consent mark a first in decades.
What's confirmed:
- Under the 1997 Hebron Agreement, the Palestinian-run Hebron Municipality held authority over planning and construction across the city, including the Tomb of the Patriarchs and the Ibrahimi Mosque.
- Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared on June 17, 2026, that he had abolished the Hebron Agreement and transferred control of the city’s Jewish enclave—including the Ibrahimi Mosque—from Palestinian to Israeli jurisdiction.
- Israel’s Foreign Ministry denied Smotrich’s claim, stating the Hebron Agreement remains in effect and that no cancellation occurred.
- The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned Israel’s actions as a violation of agreements and demanded accountability, while a Muslim advocacy group denounced the move at the Ibrahimi Mosque.
- This is the first time Israel has approved construction in Hebron without Palestinian consent since the 1997 agreement.
- The US warned Israel against actions that could undermine peace efforts or lead to unilateral annexation in the West Bank.
Still unconfirmed:
- The Hebron Agreement was signed in 1997 between Israel and Iran.
- Smotrich’s move is part of a broader effort to extend Israeli control throughout the West Bank.
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (13)
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