Two mosques in the West Bank under Israeli control were deliberately set on fire overnight in a suspected attack by Israeli settlers, officials reported on Sunday. This incident follows a series of violent clashes that resulted in the deaths of four Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers.
The recent violence has sparked accusations from Palestinians and Israeli opposition against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for allegedly tolerating settler attacks on Palestinians. The situation is raising concerns about escalating violence in the region.
In response to the mosque attacks, Israeli soldiers and police deployed across the West Bank, shutting down major roads and blocking access to a hospital where two militants were believed to be hiding. Over the weekend, Israel detained more than 70 Palestinians in efforts to quell the rising tensions.
The mosques, located in Qusra and Kour villages in the northern West Bank, suffered significant damage from the fires. The attackers left graffiti at the Qusra mosque, mentioning “revenge Benayahu” in reference to one of the Israeli soldiers killed and proclaiming “the land of Israel is redeemed with blood.”
Ahmed Abu Mahmoud, a resident living near the Qusra mosque, recounted hearing noises at 3 a.m. and discovering the mosque ablaze. He expressed frustration that despite previous incidents of theft and lack of assistance from Israeli authorities, little had been done to address the ongoing issues.
Surveillance footage from Kour captured three individuals in civilian attire causing a large explosion at the mosque entrance during the night. Despite the damage, residents gathered for prayers at the mosque, and the Israeli military stated it was collaborating with police to investigate the attack.
Israeli forces announced the sealing of homes belonging to two Palestinian militants suspected of killing the soldiers, as a prelude to their potential demolition. Netanyahu emphasized the government’s readiness to conduct broader operations against terrorism in the region.
Pope Leo issued a plea for peace in the Middle East during his weekly Sunday prayer, urging both sides to seek peaceful resolutions and avoid actions that could escalate tensions.
The circumstances surrounding the deadly incidents on Friday remained unclear, with conflicting reports from Israeli media and local Palestinian officials. The violence erupted after settlers entered the village of Tell, leading to a confrontation resulting in casualties on both sides.
The West Bank region near Nablus has witnessed increasing violence, with reports of armed Israeli settlers entering villages, committing theft, arson, and vandalizing mosques. The violence in the region has claimed the lives of numerous Palestinians and Israelis this year, highlighting the ongoing conflict in the area.
With over 700,000 Israeli settlers residing in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem, the issue of settlements remains a contentious point in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The international community considers these settlements illegal and a barrier to achieving lasting peace in the region.