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For the first time in decades, the electricity, water, and safety systems at the holy site of Me’aras HaMachpela are no longer under the control of the Muslim Waqf.

Responsibility has been fully transferred to Israel following a long engineering and legal process that lasted several months.

Until now, the Waqf controlled the main electrical panel and primary water valves at the site, giving it practical power to darken the entire area at the push of a button—including IDF security cameras, monitoring systems, preparations for mass events, and Jewish visitor flows.

The historic move was led by MK Tzvi Sukkot, chair of the Subcommittee on Judea and Samaria Affairs, who coordinated with security authorities, the Civil Administration, and the Ministry of Religious Services.

In recent months, extensive engineering work was carried out: the installation of an independent electrical panel on the ‘Jewish side’ of the complex, the creation of a separate water system no longer controlled by an external party, significant upgrades to firefighting posts and equipment in line with security requirements, relocation of critical operational points from Waqf-controlled areas, and reconnection of security systems to a network that cannot be unilaterally disconnected.

The historic site, one of the most sensitive in the Jewish world, had suffered for years from this dependency, which in the past was occasionally exploited to disable essential systems. Following the dramatic change led by MK Sukkot, security officials estimate that the move will strengthen operational stability at the site, prevent unforeseen incidents, and ensure full, uninterrupted functioning of safety, security, and visitor systems.

MK Tzvi Sukkot said:

“This is a sovereign step of the highest order. For decades, a non-Israeli entity had the ability to paralyze this holy site for the Jewish people. After a long and complex process, control over electricity, water, and operations has returned.. This is not just a correction of a historical injustice—it is the foundation for better protection, proper management, and a safe and permanent Jewish presence. I want to thank Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Central Command Chief Avi Blot, and the Civil Administration team under Brig. Gen. Hisham Ibrahim for advancing this swiftly.”

Yisrael Bermson, head of the Kiryat Arba Council, said:

“This is a historic process and period for Kiryat Arba, Hebron, and Me’aras HaMachpela. After years of embarrassing dependence, Israel is now exercising full sovereignty over the holiest site for Judaism after the Temple Mount. I thank MK Tzvi Sukkot for promoting this step, all security forces and the Cave’s border police for excellent cooperation, the Me’aras HaMachpela Administration under Amitai Cohen, the Kiryat Arba Religious Council, the Religious Services Inspector, and all involved. Today we can safely say: Me’aras HaMachpela is in secure hands.”

Eyal Galman, head of the Chevron Council, added:

“I thank MK Sukkot and all those working for Hebron and Me’aras HaMachpela—burial site of the patriarchs and matriarchs—for this significant effort to correct the situation. Dependence on the Muslim Waqf was a mark of shame for the children of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya’akov buried here. As their descendants, we are deepening our roots here and returning children to their graves and heritage. We will continue to bring life to the place where our ancestors lived and acted.”

Amitai Cohen, head of the Me’aras HaMachpela Administration, added:

“After extensive work with professionals, we successfully operationalized the systems. Despite complexities, we overcame them. This is an important step, both for safety and sovereignty. Thanks to all involved in this effort.”

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