Settler Arson Hits Two Mosques

Israeli settlers have allegedly set fire to two mosques and sprayed Hebrew-language slogans on their walls in separate incidents in villages north of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, according to local sources.

The attacks took place in the villages of Jiljilya and Mazra’a al-Nubani, both located in the central West Bank. Residents reported that groups of settlers entered the areas during the early hours of Wednesday, causing damage to the religious sites and raising fresh concerns about escalating violence in Palestinian communities.

According to local accounts, settlers entered Jiljilya before dawn and set fire to sections of the village mosque. The blaze reportedly damaged the women’s prayer area and affected parts of the building’s exterior walls. Witnesses said Hebrew-language slogans were painted on the mosque walls before the attackers left the scene.

Residents of Jiljilya stated that settler-related incidents have increased in recent months. They allege that attacks targeting local property and agricultural resources have become more frequent. Last month, villagers accused settlers of raiding the community and taking away a flock of sheep, further heightening tensions in the area.

In a separate incident, a mosque in the nearby village of Mazra’a al-Nubani was also set ablaze. Local reports indicated that various sections of the building sustained damage from the fire. As in Jiljilya, Hebrew-language graffiti was reportedly left on the walls of the mosque.

Human rights organisations and local monitoring groups have repeatedly expressed concern over a rise in attacks against Palestinians across the occupied West Bank. These incidents have included assaults on residents, arson attacks on homes, vehicles and agricultural land, as well as alleged efforts to prevent farmers from accessing their property. Such occurrences have been reported particularly in areas located close to Israeli settlements.

The latest mosque attacks come amid a broader deterioration in security conditions throughout the West Bank. Palestinian officials maintain that violence has intensified significantly since October 2023, affecting communities across multiple governorates.

Reported Impact of Recent West Bank Violence

According to figures released by the Palestinian authorities, at least 1,169 Palestinians have been killed and 12,666 injured in the West Bank since 8 October 2023. The same data indicates that around 23,000 people have been detained and roughly 33,000 Palestinians displaced during the period.

The incidents in Jiljilya and Mazra’a al-Nubani add to a growing list of reported attacks on religious, residential and agricultural sites in the occupied territory, highlighting the continuing tensions and instability affecting communities across the West Bank.