West Bank Escalation
West Bank Mosques Attacked by Settlers Amid Rising Tensions and Escalation Warnings
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Key Points
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Arson and vandalism across Qusra and Beitillu: a mosque in Qusra was set on fire, five vehicles were torched in Beitillu, and tractors and trucks were burned near Khirbet Abu Falah; two Palestinians were beaten and evacuated to hospital.
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MK Ahmad Tibi condemned the settlers, describing them as 'settler-terrorists' and labeling the attacks as 'Jewish terrorism' in the wake of the Friday shooting that killed Benayahu Mellet and an army commander.
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Palestinian authorities framed the violence as part of a systematic campaign targeting holy sites, noting the attacks are taking place under Israeli occupation forces' protection.
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The Israeli military said it arrived at Qusra after receiving reports of arson, conducted searches for suspects, and planned to collect statements, evidence, and forensic findings with police protection.
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Graffiti on affected mosques included phrases such as 'Benayahu’s Revenge' and 'Revenge for Benayahu' with a Star of David on Qusra; in Kur, Hebrew graffiti stated 'Jewish blood is not ownerless.'
Israeli settlers set fire to two mosques in the occupied West Bank overnight Saturday, leaving behind graffiti reading 'Benayahu's Revenge' — a reference to a soldier killed in a deadly shooting the day before. The attacks hit the villages of Qusra, near Nablus, and Tulkarm, according to WTOP and Al-Monitor.
The weekend violence killed four Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers. Beyond the mosque fires, settlers torched five vehicles in Beitillu, burned tractors and trucks near Khirbet Abu Falah, and beat two Palestinians who were taken to a hospital, WTOP reported.
Graffiti and Fire Follow Friday's Deadly Shooting
The arson came hours after a shooting near Havat Gilad in Samaria killed soldier Benayahu Mellet and an Israeli army commander on Friday, according to Vinnews. Settlers appeared to respond overnight. In Qusra, attackers set fire to a mosque still under construction, damaging its entrance, building materials, and equipment, Zamin reported.
Graffiti sprayed on the Qusra mosque included 'Benayahu's Revenge' alongside a Star of David. In the village of Kur, Hebrew graffiti read 'Jewish blood is not ownerless.' Al-Monitor reported a second mosque was set ablaze in Tulkarm, bringing the total number of torched religious sites to two in a single night.
Israeli Military Responds but Finds No Suspects Yet
The Israeli military said it arrived at Qusra after receiving reports of arson. Soldiers searched the area for suspects and planned to collect statements, physical evidence, and forensic findings with police protection, according to WTOP. Security forces said they oppose attacks on places of worship.
No arrests were immediately announced. The Israeli military's involvement came after the attacks were already underway, raising questions about how quickly forces responded to the violence spreading across multiple villages overnight, Al-Monitor noted.
Palestinian Officials Call It a Systematic Campaign
Palestinian authorities described the attacks as part of a broader, organized effort against holy sites. The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs condemned the fires and warned they reflect a pattern of violence against Islamic worship sites under Israeli occupation, according to South China Morning Post.
Israeli Arab lawmaker MK Ahmad Tibi called the perpetrators 'settler-terrorists' and labeled the attacks 'Jewish terrorism.' He linked the violence directly to the Friday shooting that killed Mellet, warning the cycle of revenge attacks risks further escalation throughout the West Bank.
International Alarm Grows Over Religious Site Attacks
The mosque burnings drew international concern and calls for accountability. Critics said attacks on religious sites strike at the heart of religious freedom and civil stability in the occupied territories. Al-Monitor noted witnesses and officials fear the violence will spiral if those responsible are not held accountable.
Settler attacks on Palestinian property in the West Bank have surged in recent years. Rights groups say perpetrators are rarely prosecuted. This latest wave — two mosques burned, seven vehicles torched, two people beaten, all in a single night — underscores that concern, WTOP reported.
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