Israeli settlers torch mosques in occupied West Bank

Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank attacked two mosques on Sunday, setting them ablaze and vandalizing them with graffiti. This incident occurred in the context of escalating violence following a clash on Friday that resulted in the deaths of four Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers. The attacks were reported in various locations, including Nablus and Tulkarm, where significant damage was inflicted on religious and community structures. In the village of Qusra, located south of Nablus, settlers burned large portions of the al-Rahma mosque and spray-painted racist slogans in Hebrew on its walls. Eyewitnesses indicated that the attacks involved settlers raiding several towns and villages, attacking homes, destroying vehicles, and firing live ammunition to intimidate residents. The Israeli military confirmed that troops dispatched to Qusra found graffiti and signs of arson and were actively searching for suspects involved in the attacks. The violence affected multiple governorates, including Nablus, Tulkarm, Ramallah, Hebron, Salfit, Qalqilya, Jericho, and Jerusalem. Palestinian officials expressed concerns regarding the safety of residents in these areas, noting that the settlers appeared to act under the protection of Israeli forces. Human rights organizations have raised alarms about the ongoing threats to Palestinian communities in the West Bank. The series of attacks on Sunday, which included the burning of mosques and damage to industrial facilities near Ramallah, reflects a broader pattern of violence attributed to Israeli settlers in the region. The Israeli military's involvement in the aftermath of these incidents, including the arrest of dozens of Palestinians, underscores the complex and volatile nature of the ongoing conflict in the area.