West Bank mosques targeted in surge of attacks by settlers and Israeli forces

Palestinian authorities report a surge in attacks on religious sites in the occupied West Bank, noting that 13 mosques have been “violated” by Israeli forces or settlers since the beginning of the year.

On Tuesday, Israeli settlers targeted the Nour al-Din al-Zanki Mosque in the village of Bazariya, near Nablus. The attack involved Hebrew graffiti sprayed on exterior walls and an attempt to set the building on fire. A small explosion caused a fire in a room below the main structure, though locals managed to contain the blaze before it reached the upper floor.

In the village of Madama, near Nablus, worshippers were reportedly affected by tear gas fired by Israeli forces during evening prayers. Footage showed congregants struggling to breathe following the deployment of canisters. The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Affairs condemned these incidents, describing them as “criminal attacks” and a systematic threat to religious stability.