Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced Tuesday that Israel is taking control of a contested holy site in Hebron, previously managed by the Waqf, a Jordanian-Palestinian religious trust. The site, known to Muslims as the Ibrahimi Mosque and to Jews as the Cave of the Patriarchs, is a flashpoint for tensions. This move follows a recent government decision to formally annex the site, a step Palestinians and Jordan strongly condemned as a violation of the status quo. Smotrich stated the decision reflects a historical and religious connection to the site. Palestinian officials warned the takeover could escalate violence in the region. International reaction has been muted so far, but observers anticipate criticism from countries advocating for a two-state solution. The Waqf has expressed outrage and fears for the future of the site’s religious integrity.