Israeli Settlers Set Fire to Mosque in West Bank, Reuters Reports

Mosque Fire Incident

• 🔥 Palestinians reported that Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque near the village of Salfit in the occupied West Bank on Thursday.
• 🚨 Residents discovered the fire after smelling smoke and finding the mosque door ajar in the morning.
• 🚒 The civil defense was alerted, preventing the mosque from being completely destroyed.

Israeli Military Response and Condemnation

• 🔍 The Israeli military dispatched forces to the scene to investigate the incident.
• ⚠️ The army stated it condemns violence and is committed to maintaining security in the area.

Surge in Settler Violence

• 📈 The attack on the mosque occurs amidst a recent increase in settler attacks in the West Bank.
• 🚗 On Tuesday, masked Israeli settlers were documented attacking vehicles and trucks belonging to a dairy producer.
• ✊ The Palestinian Red Crescent reported treating three individuals who were assaulted with sticks and stones during a separate incident.
• ⚖️ Israeli police arrested four suspects in connection with the dairy producer attack.

International Concern and UN Data

• 🌍 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concern that the rising violence could undermine peace efforts in Gaza.
• ✍️ Hebrew graffiti, including a Bible verse about vengeance and an insult to the Prophet Muhammad, was found on the mosque walls.
• 📊 The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported at least 264 settler attacks on Palestinians in October, the highest monthly tally since 2006.