Israeli occupiers set fire to 2 mosques in occupied West Bank

On Sunday, Israeli forces carried out two separate arson attacks on mosques in the occupied West Bank: one targeted a mosque in the village of Kur, south of Tulkarem, and another struck a mosque under construction in the town of Qusra, south of Nablus, according to Palestinian officials, Anadolu reported.

WAFA reported that Israeli forces entered the village of Kur and ignited the mosque, resulting in partial damage to the structure and its interior.

The assailants spray‑painted racist graffiti on the mosque walls before departing, while local residents quickly extinguished the blaze and prevented it from spreading.

WAFA said the Kur attack occurred just hours after Israeli forces set fire to Al‑Rahma Mosque, which was still under construction in Qusra.

Abdel Azim Wadi, mayor of Qusra, said the assault burned wooden materials and construction equipment at the site.

The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs condemned the “heinous crime” against the Kur mosque, noting that Israeli forces had attacked 45 mosques across the West Bank in 2025, often with army protection.

In the neighboring town of Beit Furik, east of Nablus, Palestinian security sources told WAFA that Israeli forces attacked the Al‑Dubbat neighborhood, set fire to a resident’s home, causing partial damage before firefighters brought the fire under control.

The attackers also spray‑painted racist graffiti calling for revenge against Arabs.

These incidents occur amid ongoing Israeli escalation in the West Bank over recent days.

On Friday, Israeli forces, accompanied by the army, assaulted the Palestinian town of Tell near Nablus, killing four Palestinians; two Israelis were also killed in the ensuing shooting, according to both Palestinian and Israeli sources.

Israeli forces imposed a siege on Nablus and nearby towns after the violence, conducted mass arrest raids, and announced plans for a large‑scale military operation throughout the West Bank.

Since October 2023, Israeli forces and settlers have killed at least 1,182 Palestinians in the West Bank, injured thousands, and detained roughly 24,000, according to official Palestinian figures.

The Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission reported on July 6 that Israeli forces carried out 3,488 attacks against Palestinians and their property in the first half of this year, including village assaults, home arson, shootings, land seizures and the establishment of settlement outposts, resulting in 17 Palestinian deaths.

Palestinians warn that the escalating attacks constitute part of Israeli efforts to facilitate the formal annexation of the West Bank, undermining prospects for an independent Palestinian state envisioned in relevant UN resolutions.

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