Thousands Visit Tomb of the Patriarchs During 'Machpela Days' Festival

Approximately 27,000 visitors flocked to the Tomb of the Patriarchs and the adjacent Jewish settlement in Hebron on Tuesday, the second day of the "Machpela Days" festival. This follows a similar turnout of about 20,000 visitors on Monday. Security forces, including around 200 police officers from the Judea region, reinforcements from the Judea and Samaria (Shai) district, Border Police, and IDF soldiers, were deployed from early morning to manage the crowds, ensure public order, direct traffic, and regulate parking for thousands of vehicles.

The security preparations and presence will continue through Wednesday, the final day of the festival, with expectations of additional thousands of visitors. Authorities reminded the public about parking regulations, urging drivers to use designated areas and warning that illegally parked vehicles would be towed. They also advised the public to report any unusual incidents to the police via emergency number 100 or directly to officers on the ground.

Drivers were asked to exercise patience and caution due to the high volume of pedestrians and to stay updated on traffic conditions via navigation apps and media. A legal prohibition on entering Area A zones was reiterated, with a recommendation to ensure navigation apps block these areas. The event highlights a significant annual influx of visitors to the holy site.