Palestinian Worshippers Forced to Leave Mosque During Israeli Raid in Bethlehem Area

Palestinian Worshippers Forced to Leave Mosque During Israeli Raid in Bethlehem Area
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Israeli forces raided a mosque in the village of Husan, west of Bethlehem, on Saturday, forcing worshippers to leave the building and disrupting prayers, according to local reports.

The incident occurred on July 18, when Israeli forces entered the mosque during prayer time and reportedly used stun grenades and tear gas, preventing the call to prayer and the continuation of worship, according to Palestinian media reports.

The raid came amid growing concerns over restrictions and incidents affecting religious sites in the Bethlehem governorate. Local sources reported that Israeli forces also closed entrances to villages in the Al-Arqub area southwest of Bethlehem, limiting residents’ movement and disrupting access between villages and the city center.

Residents of Bethlehem’s towns and villages have reported repeated military raids, movement restrictions and closures in recent months. Palestinian officials say such measures have affected daily life, access to places of worship and public facilities, while Israeli authorities have generally said security operations are aimed at preventing threats and maintaining security.