Israeli Settlers Set Fire to Mosque in Occupied West Bank Village

A mosque in the occupied West Bank village of Al-Tuwani was set ablaze by Israeli settlers overnight, a Palestinian official reported Sunday. An AFP journalist observed scorch marks on the mosque's entrance and Hebrew graffiti spray-painted on its walls.

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

The attack occurred during a period of escalating settler violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank, which has intensified since the Gaza war began in 2023. Mohammed Rabie, head of the Al-Tuwani village council, stated that over two dozen settlers, some masked, also set fire to two houses and a dairy factory before fleeing as villagers emerged.

Local volunteers managed to extinguish the flames before they could spread further. Rabie expressed gratitude that the attack did not result in loss of life, though the dairy factory, operated by women from the Masafer Yatta community, sustained significant damage.

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

Israeli police confirmed they deployed officers to the village following a report of suspects causing damage, including a vehicle fire and vandalism to a prayer structure and walls. An investigation into the incident is ongoing. Palestinian officials condemned the arson as a "full-fledged terrorist act," accusing Israel's government of encouraging settler violence to displace Palestinians.

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

Recent UN reports indicate that Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank has reached unprecedented levels, with an average of six attacks per day resulting in casualties or property damage. Approximately three million Palestinians live in the occupied West Bank alongside over 500,000 Israelis in settlements considered illegal under international law.

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a full-fledged terrorist act