During a large-scale police, Border Police, Yasam Unit, and Land Enforcement Authority raid, forces dismantled a tent that was illegally erected over the gravesite of Izz ad-Din al-Qassam, a key figure in the history of Palestinian Arab terrorism and a symbol in the Hamas terrorist organization.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and MK Yitzhak Kroizer (Otzma Yehudit) were present as the tent over the grave site, in the Haifa area town of Nesher, was dismantled.
The raid focused on dismantling the tent, which was erected by the Waqf (religious caretaker), removing illegally installed security cameras, and removing a propaganda sign designed to commemorate al-Qassam's legacy. During the activity, a Waqf security guard shouted at the forces but was warned not to approach.
Minister Ben-Gvir said that the raid is a significant step in the fight against incitement: "Party's over. There was a tent here that overlooked the gravesite and protected it on behalf of the Waqf. The sign came down, the tent came down, and with G-d's help, the grave will be removed too. There is no place for incitement in Israel. Terrorism gets stronger when you let it have a say. Terrorism must be uprooted; this grave must be destroyed."
The chairman of the Knesset Internal Affairs Committee, MK Yitzhak Kroizer, noted the symbolism of the move. “Here, especially in the compound of the arch-terrorist Izz ad-Din al-Qassam, we are demolishing the Waqf’s compound and restoring sovereignty. Wherever the Waqf thinks it holds control, we will deal with it.”