Key facts
- Two mosques in the West Bank villages of Qusra and Kour were set on fire by Israeli settlers.
- The attacks followed a deadly clash that killed four Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers.
- Hebrew graffiti, including "revenge Benayahu," was found at the Qusra mosque.
- Israeli forces arrested over 70 Palestinians over the weekend amid escalating violence.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a broad security operation against "terrorist nests."
Two mosques in the Israeli-occupied West Bank were set on fire in apparent Israeli settler attacks early Sunday, following a weekend of escalating violence that resulted in the deaths of four Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers. The mosques, located in the villages of Qusra and Kour, sustained significant damage. In Qusra, attackers spray-painted Hebrew graffiti, including "revenge Benayahu," referencing one of the Israeli soldiers killed Friday, and "the land of Israel is redeemed with blood."
Ahmed Abu Mahmoud, a resident of Qusra, reported hearing noises around 3 a.m. and discovering the mosque ablaze. He noted that livestock and a drinking tank had been stolen from the area in the preceding month, with no assistance from Israeli authorities. Security footage from Kour showed three individuals in civilian clothing detonating an explosive device at the mosque entrance overnight. Residents held prayers on Sunday despite the damage.
Israeli military and police forces were deployed across the West Bank, closing roads and blocking access to a hospital where militants were reportedly hiding. The military stated it was investigating the incidents and condemned harm to religious sites. Over 70 Palestinians were arrested over the weekend as authorities attempted to contain the violence. The military also reported sealing the homes of two Palestinian militants suspected in the soldiers' deaths for demolition.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a broad security operation to seize weapons and make arrests, referring to "terrorist nests." The violence has intensified accusations from Palestinians and the Israeli opposition that Netanyahu's government is not adequately addressing settler attacks. The Palestinian Authority described the events as "state-backed settler terrorism" and "systematic pogroms."
Pope Leo XIV issued an appeal for peace, urging both sides to seek a negotiated solution and reject military actions and unilateral decisions that violate the status quo of holy places. The initial clash on Friday reportedly began when settlers approached the Palestinian village of Tal, leading to a confrontation where a Palestinian allegedly took a settler's weapon and fired, killing the security guard Benayahu Mellet.