Israeli settlers allegedly set fire to two mosques in the occupied West Bank overnight, according to Palestinian officials, in the latest incident to heighten tensions in the region.
Abdel Azim Wadi, the mayor of the town of Qusra, south of Nablus, said settlers targeted a mosque that was under construction in the southern part of the town. He stated that the attackers also spray-painted Hebrew graffiti on the mosque’s walls, including the word “revenge.”
The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Affairs said another mosque in the village of Kour, near Tulkarm, was also set on fire during the same period. According to the ministry, racist slogans were written on the walls of the mosque, which suffered damage in the attack.
The incidents come amid heightened violence in the occupied West Bank. On Friday, clashes between Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the village of Tal resulted in the deaths of four Palestinians and two Israelis, according to reports.
Israeli Army Radio reported that attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians increased by 63 per cent during the first six months of 2026 compared with the same period last year. The report said 660 incidents were recorded during the first half of 2026, up from 405 incidents in the corresponding period of 2025.
The rise in settler-related violence has drawn increasing international attention as security conditions continue to deteriorate across the occupied territory. Palestinian officials have repeatedly called for greater protection for civilians and religious sites, while concerns over escalating tensions remain high.
According to available figures, at least 1,185 Palestinians, including 250 children, have been killed in the occupied West Bank since October 2023. During 2026 alone, at least 87 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, including 21 who Palestinian sources say died in attacks carried out by Israeli settlers.
