The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas condemned on Tuesday Israel’s approval to strip the Hebron municipality of its authority over the Ibrahimi Mosque and transfer it to Israel’s so-called Civil Administration in the occupied West Bank.

In a statement posted on its Telegram channel, Hamas said the decision represents a “dangerous Judaization step” aimed at undermining the identity of the mosque and the Arab and Islamic character of the city of Hebron, as well as the rights of Palestinians and Muslims.

The group added that the move is part of what it described as Israel’s ongoing efforts to impose control over land and holy sites across the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem.