Palestinian officials report that Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian villages in the Israeli-occupied West Bank early Sunday, setting fire to two mosques and spray-painting graffiti on buildings. The incidents are described as following a deadly clash on Friday near the Palestinian village of Tell, southwest of Nablus, in which four Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers were killed; one of the soldiers reportedly served as a local security coordinator for a nearby Israeli settlement.
One reported attack occurred in Qusra, south of Nablus, where a mosque under construction was set alight and damaged, and Hebrew graffiti including the word “revenge” was reportedly written on its walls. In a separate incident, a mosque in the village of Kour near Tulkarem was also set on fire, according to Palestinian religious authorities, which said racist slogans were sprayed.
The Israeli military says troops were dispatched to the outskirts of Qusra after a report of arson and found signs consistent with fire-setting and graffiti; it says Israeli police investigate and collect evidence. Several outlets also report the West Bank violence has surged since Israel’s assault on Gaza began in October 2023, citing death toll figures provided by Palestinian officials.
