Israeli Settlers Attempt to Burn West Bank Mosque Near Nablus

West Bank — Ekhbary News Agency

Israeli settlers attempted to set fire to the Nour al-Din al-Zanki mosque in Bazariya village, near Nablus, late Monday night. The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Affairs in the West Bank confirmed the incident, stating a group of settlers tried to ignite parts of the mosque. This attack, to be sure, underscores persistent tensions in the occupied territories.

Attack Details and Local Response

Majed Nasr, a local resident, reported the assault occurred around 11:45 PM. He described a small explosion that sparked a fire in a room beneath the mosque. Residents quickly controlled the blaze before it spread to the main prayer hall, though the room's contents were damaged. Videos show Palestinians inspecting the aftermath, revealing threatening Hebrew messages on the mosque's exterior walls. The Israeli army offered no immediate comment.

Escalating Tensions and Official Condemnation

This incident follows a troubling trend; the Palestinian Ministry of Religious Affairs has documented thirteen mosques targeted by Israeli forces and settlers this year. The Palestinian presidency condemned these actions as "systematic policy adopted and protected by the occupation government," warning they "threaten to trigger a religious conflict with severe regional and global consequences." Settler violence in the West Bank has intensified dramatically since October 2023, marked by almost daily raids and intimidation. Separately, Israeli police arrested eight Israelis, aged 16 to 20, suspected of "arson and assaults" in Hebron.