Settlers Set Fire to Two West Bank Mosques, Spray Hostile Slogans

Israeli settlers set fire to two mosques on the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, also spray-painting hostile messages on the walls of one of the sites. The mosque fires occurred in two villages, including Jiljilya, north of Ramallah.

Osama Abdullah, head of the village council, reported that settlers ignited the room used for ritual washing before prayer. Slogans such as "Revenge" and "Hey, from No'ar HaGva'ot" were found on the walls. "No'ar HaGva'ot" is associated with an extremist settler youth group frequently accused of violence against Palestinians.

AFP journalists observed soot and scorched walls, ceilings, and floors inside the mosque. The Israeli military (IDF) confirmed the arson and graffiti incidents. However, they did not identify the perpetrators, stating that their forces searched the area for suspects but found that the perpetrators had already fled by the time soldiers arrived.

The incidents highlight ongoing tensions and violence in the West Bank, with settler actions often targeting Palestinian property and places of worship. The IDF's confirmation acknowledges the event, but the lack of immediate apprehension of suspects is a recurring issue in such cases.

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Our forces searched the area for suspects. They found two burned mosques and graffiti, but the perpetrators had fled before the soldiers arrived.