Israeli Settlers Accused of Burning West Bank Mosques

Israeli settlers allegedly set fire to two mosques, cars and agricultural land in the occupied West Bank overnight, according to Palestinian officials, amid rising tensions following a deadly clash earlier this week.

The attacks came two days after violence near the village of Tal left four Palestinians and two Israelis dead. Both sides blamed each other for triggering the confrontation.

Mosques and Property Targeted

Palestinian officials said settlers attacked two villages, damaging vehicles, stealing property and spray-painting hate graffiti on buildings.

In the village of Qusra, Mayor Abdul Azim Wadi said settlers set fire to a mosque that was under construction. He said the attackers also spray-painted the word "revenge" on the mosque's walls.

The Israeli military said troops were deployed to Qusra and that police would investigate the incident and collect evidence.

In a separate attack, Palestinian officials said settlers set fire to another mosque in the village of Kour and painted slogans on its walls.

Violence Escalates After Tal Clash

Palestinians say there have been multiple settler attacks on villages across the West Bank since Friday's deadly confrontation in Tal.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has meanwhile conducted raids and arrested dozens of Palestinians as part of what it described as a "counter-terrorism" operation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the Tal incident by pledging "powerful action", including the possible demolition of the homes of two Palestinians alleged to have been involved.

Growing International Concern

Violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank has increased sharply in recent months, drawing international condemnation but showing little sign of easing.

The security situation had already worsened before the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023. Since the outbreak of the Gaza war that followed, settler violence in the West Bank has intensified further.

According to the United Nations, 1,114 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the Gaza war began, with the vast majority of deaths attributed to the IDF. The UN says at least 35 of those deaths involved settler attacks.

The UN also says 41 Israelis, including civilians and security personnel, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations in the West Bank during the same period.

Israel has established hundreds of settlements housing around 700,000 Jews in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since capturing the territories in the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinians seek those areas, together with Gaza, for a future independent state. Around 3.3 million Palestinians live in the West Bank alongside the settlements, which are regarded as illegal under international law.

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27 July 2026

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