Israeli military says police are investigating after fires and graffiti were reported at two mosques, as tensions continue to escalate across the occupied West Bank.
WEST BANK: Palestinian officials said two mosques in separate areas of the occupied West Bank were damaged in overnight fires on Sunday, alleging that Israeli settlers were responsible for the attacks amid heightened tensions following recent deadly clashes in the territory.
According to Abdel Azim Wadi, mayor of the town of Qusra, south of Nablus, a mosque that was still under construction was set on fire during the night.
“The fire destroyed the mosque’s entrance and damaged parts of the stone structure,” Wadi said, adding that Hebrew-language graffiti, including the word “revenge,” was found on the building’s walls.
The Israeli military confirmed that troops responded after receiving reports of a mosque fire near Qusra. In a statement, the military said soldiers searched the surrounding area for suspects who had fled before security forces arrived.
The statement added that investigators found evidence consistent with arson and graffiti at the scene, while the Israeli Police had opened an investigation and were collecting evidence.
In a separate incident, the Palestinian Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs said another mosque in the village of Kour, near Tulkarem, was also damaged by fire. The ministry alleged that Israeli settlers carried out the attack and spray-painted racist slogans on the mosque’s walls.
The reported incidents came days after violent confrontations in the village of Tell, where Palestinian officials and Israeli authorities reported that six people were killed, including four Palestinians and two Israelis.
Following the clashes, Israeli forces conducted security operations in Nablus and nearby towns, saying they had arrested dozens of Palestinians as part of what the military described as a counterterrorism campaign.
Residents in Nablus also reported fuel shortages and long queues at petrol stations on Saturday as movement restrictions disrupted daily life.
Violence in the West Bank has intensified since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. According to Palestinian officials, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed during military operations and settler-related violence since then. Israeli authorities say dozens of Israelis, including civilians and security personnel, have also been killed in attacks during the same period.
The situation remains highly volatile, with international observers continuing to call for restraint and accountability as investigations into the latest incidents continue.
