SALFIT: Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque in the central West Bank early Thursday morning, as a wave of settler attacks continues to grow across Palestinian territories.
The Hajja Hamida Mosque, located between the towns of Deir Istiya and Kafr Haris in Salfit, was targeted just before the Fajr prayers. Dozens of settlers stormed the mosque, dousing its entrance with a flammable liquid and setting it ablaze.
Palestinian media outlets reported that attackers also burned copies of the Quran and spray-painted anti-Arab, anti-Muslim slogans in Hebrew on the mosque’s walls, including messages like “We will take revenge again” and “Keep on condemning.”
The fire caused damage to one wall of the mosque but was quickly extinguished by local residents and civil defense teams. Israeli forces arrived to conduct a brief field investigation before leaving the scene.
The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from both Palestinian and Israeli officials.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry labeled it a “heinous crime” and accused the Israeli government of enabling settler violence through policies that support the expansion of illegal settlements. The Ministry of Religious Endowments condemned the arson as part of an ongoing campaign of hate and incitement against religious sites in Palestine.
Thursday’s mosque attack follows a violent episode earlier in the week, when settlers attacked the villages of Beit Lid and Deir Sharaf in Tulkarm, setting fire to vehicles and agricultural land. The violence resulted in multiple injuries to Palestinians, further intensifying tensions in the region.
Israeli military leaders, including Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, condemned the settler violence, calling it a “grave” and “dangerous phenomenon.” President Isaac Herzog also expressed outrage, urging authorities to take stronger action against extremist groups responsible for the attacks.
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