Israeli Settlers Torch Mosques in Occupied West Bank

In the occupied West Bank, Israeli settlers are accused of setting fire to two mosques and defacing buildings with graffiti early Sunday, according to local Palestinian officials. Near Nablus, a mosque described as being in its final stages of furnishing was torched, with Hebrew slogans daubed on its walls. Abdel Azim Wadi, head of the village council of Qusra, near Nablus, reported the incident, stating the mosque was ready to receive worshippers.

The Israeli military confirmed that graffiti and signs of arson were discovered during their inspection of the area. A statement from Israeli military authorities condemned such acts, including harm to religious sites, and pledged continued decisive action to maintain security and public order. Separately, Palestinian authorities reported that settlers attempted to burn a mosque near Kour and attacked Palestinian laborers at a facility near Ramallah. A member of the Kour village council stated that worshippers managed to extinguish a fire at their mosque, which he claimed was set by three Israeli settlers. Graffiti in Hebrew was also found at this site.

“

The mosque was in its final stage and was ready to receive worshippers. It had already been furnished with couches. They set it on fire and spray-painted Hebrew slogans on its walls.

These alleged attacks followed violent clashes on Friday that resulted in six fatalities. The earlier incident reportedly began when armed Israeli settlers descended upon the Palestinian village of Tell, southwest of Nablus. Shots were fired from both sides during the ensuing confrontation, according to the Israeli military. Palestinian officials, however, maintain that the settlers initiated the violence. The Friday clashes left four Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers dead.

In response to the Friday violence, Israeli security forces conducted raids in Nablus on Saturday as part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "counter-terrorism" operations, leading to dozens of Palestinian arrests. Palestinian authorities have characterized the weekend's events as part of "systematic pogroms across the occupied West Bank." The West Bank has experienced a significant rise in violent clashes between Israeli settlers and Palestinian civilians since October 7, 2023. Palestinian authorities report that at least 1,097 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers and security forces since that date.

“

The security forces strongly condemn incidents of this kind, including harm to religious sites, and will continue to act decisively to maintain security and public order in the area.