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Aqaba Port Operations Normal, Says Director General
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Conflict & Security

Aqaba Port Operations Normal, Says Director General

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Israeli settlers allegedly set fire to a mosque and damaged other property in the occupied West Bank village of Al-Tuwani.
  • The incident occurred during a period of heightened settler violence against Palestinian communities since the start of the Gaza war.
  • Israeli police confirmed an investigation is ongoing into the reported damage and graffiti.

A mosque in the occupied West Bank village of Al-Tuwani was set ablaze overnight by alleged Israeli settlers, according to a Palestinian official and an AFP journalist who observed the scorched entrance and Hebrew graffiti on the walls. This incident is part of a significant increase in settler attacks on Palestinian communities since the Gaza war began in 2023.

We thank God that this attack did not turn into a tragedy with loss of life.

— Mohammed RabieHead of the Al-Tuwani village council, expressing relief that no one was harmed during the arson attack on the mosque and other properties.

Mohammed Rabie, head of the Al-Tuwani village council, told AFP that over two dozen settlers, some masked, attacked the Al-Taqwa mosque and set it on fire. The settlers also reportedly torched two houses and a dairy factory before fleeing as villagers emerged. Rabie expressed gratitude that the attack did not result in loss of life, though AFP photographs showed damage to the mosque's entrance, windows, and a prayer carpet.

The investigation into the circumstances of the incident... is still ongoing.

— Israeli PoliceStatement confirming the deployment of officers and the commencement of an investigation into the reported damage and graffiti in Al-Tuwani.

The Israeli police acknowledged deploying officers to the village following a report of suspects causing damage, including a vehicle fire, damage to a prayer structure's door, and graffiti. An investigation into the circumstances is underway. Palestinian activist Osama Makhamra claimed the attack occurred "in full view of the Israeli army," noting the proximity of a military watchtower. However, Rabie stated that Israeli army, police, and fire services arrived about half an hour after the attack.

The settlers' attack took place in full view of the Israeli army.

— Osama MakhamraPalestinian activist commenting on the alleged presence and inaction of the Israeli military during the settler attack.

The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Affairs condemned the arson as a "full-fledged terrorist act," accusing Israel's government of encouraging settler violence to displace Palestinians from Masafer Yatta and escalate the conflict into a religious war. A recent UN report highlighted "unprecedented" levels of Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank, averaging six attacks per day resulting in casualties or property damage.

a full-fledged terrorist act

— Palestinian religious affairs ministryCondemning the arson attack on the mosque and accusing the Israeli government of encouraging settler violence.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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