Settler Fiery Assault Leaves Mosques, Farms and Cars Burned in West Bank
Israeli settlers have set fire to two mosques, vandalised cars and scorched agricultural land overnight in the West Bank, Palestinian officials say. The attacks come just two days after a clash near the village of Tal that killed four Palestinians and two Israelis.
Mosques Ignited, Graffiti Sprayed
The mayor of Qusra reported that a mosque under construction was set ablaze and that settlers sprayed the word "revenge" on its walls. In Kour, settlers torch another mosque and spray slogans on its walls, according to Palestinian officials.
Property Damaged and Vehicles Vandalised
In the following days, two villages were attacked overnight. Cars were vandalised, property stolen and hateful graffiti sprayed on walls. Residents described waves of blackened water and ash washing over houses and were forced to evacuate after settlers threw stones.
Government Response and Raised Tensions
The Israeli military dispatched troops to Qusra and announced investigations will seek to gather evidence. The IDF conducted raids, arresting more than 130 people in a “counter‑terrorism” operation. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed powerful action, even threatening the demolition of homes tied to the alleged Palestinian perpetrators.
Escalation in the West Bank
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, settler violence has surged. International bodies report 1,114 Palestinians killed in the West Bank with the majority attributed to IDF, while at least 35 deaths involve settler attacks. The continuous clash between settlement expansion and Palestinian communities risks undermining any durable peace plan.
