A mosque in the occupied West Bank was vandalised and partially burned in what Palestinian officials describe as a deliberate attack by Israeli settlers, further intensifying tensions in a region already on edge. The incident occurred in the village of Deir Istiya near Salfit, where residents awoke to find portions of the Hajja Hamidah Mosque charred and its walls covered in hateful graffiti.
According to local accounts, assailants broke into the mosque before dawn, using flammable liquid to ignite carpets and damage several copies of the Quran. The walls were spray-painted with slurs written in Hebrew, including insults directed at the Prophet Muhammad and taunts aimed at an Israeli military commander who had recently spoken out against settler violence.
Palestinian authorities condemned the attack as an assault on a sacred space and part of a broader pattern of intimidation aimed at communities across the West Bank. The Ministry of Religious Affairs labelled it a “premeditated crime” and urged international intervention to curb what it says is a growing wave of settler aggression targeting both people and property.
Israeli security forces said they deployed troops to the scene shortly after the incident was reported. The military confirmed that an investigation has been opened and that the matter has been handed over to the national police. As of now, no arrests have been made.
The attack comes amid a rise in settler-related incidents coinciding with the olive harvest, a period historically marked by increased friction between Palestinian farmers and nearby settlements. Rights groups warn that these episodes are becoming more frequent and more destructive.
The mosque has since reopened its doors, with villagers returning for prayers even as the damage remains visible—a symbolic show of resilience that community leaders say underscores their determination to defend their religious and cultural heritage.
