Israeli soldiers stationed at the entrance of the Ibrihimi Mosque, also known as the Tomb of the Patriarchs, closed the mosque on Monday for the Jewish holidays.

An army source said the tomb will be closed to Palestinian residents, until Tuesday morning to allow the Israeli settlers in the city to celebrate  Yom Kipor .

Local residents said that the Israeli army presence  has intensified in the old city and the other areas surrounding the mosque.