According to official reports and local sources, two mosques in the Israeli-occupied West Bank were set on fire overnight in an apparent settler attack following a weekend of escalating violence that left four Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers dead. Israeli forces responded by deploying across the territory, closing main roads, blocking a hospital, and arresting over 70 Palestinians.
Mosque Fires Spark Tensions in Northern West Bank Villages
The mosques, located in the northern West Bank villages of Qusra and Kour, sustained considerable damage from the overnight fires. In Qusra, attackers spray-painted “vengeance for Benayahu”—referencing Benayahu Mellet, a 32-year-old settlement security guard killed on Friday—alongside the phrase “the land of Israel is redeemed with blood.” Ahmed Abu Mahmoud, a 64-year-old resident living adjacent to the Qusra mosque, stated that he heard noises at 3 a.m. and discovered the fire was too large to combat alone. Mahmoud reported that while livestock and a water tank had been stolen in the preceding month without assistance, Israeli soldiers arrived during the incident, observed the situation, and departed, according to his account.
Security Footage Captures Kour Village Attack
Security footage from the village of Kour showed three individuals dressed in civilian clothing triggering a large explosion at the entrance of the local mosque during the night. Despite the damage to the entrance, residents gathered at the site to conduct prayers on Sunday morning. The Israel Defense Forces stated they are working with the police to investigate the incident. “The forces of security strongly condemn incidents of this type, including the damage to religious sites, and will continue acting with determination to maintain security and order public in the area,” military officials said. While the military routinely announces investigations into anti-Palestinian violence, rights groups and local officials note that arrests or prosecutions of involved settlers remain rare.
Wider Military Operations and Institutional Response
In response to the weekend’s events, the military sealed the homes of two Palestinian militants suspected of killing the soldiers in preparation for demolition, a tactic Israel employs to deter future attacks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that troops entered villages across the West Bank to seize weapons and execute arrests. “We are also prepared to operate on a broader scale against the terrorist nests,” Netanyahu declared. Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV appealed for peace in the Middle East during his weekly Sunday prayer, urging both sides to reject new military actions and unilateral decisions that violate the status quo of religious sites.
Did you know?
More than 700,000 Israeli settlers live in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories captured in 1967. The international community largely considers these settlements illegal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the latest surge of violence in the West Bank?
According to Israeli media reports and local Palestinian officials, the escalation began after a group of settlers entered the village of Tell and was confronted by residents. During the confrontation, the military reported that a Palestinian took a settler’s weapon and fired, killing a security guard, which subsequently sparked broader clashes and the reported retaliatory mosque attacks.
How many casualties have been recorded in the West Bank this year?
Data from the Palestinian Health Ministry indicates that 87 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied West Bank this year, including 21 deaths attributed to settlers. On the Israeli side, three individuals—including two soldiers killed on Friday—have died in attacks by Palestinian militants in 2026.
What measures are Israeli forces taking following the attacks?
The military deployed heavily across the West Bank, closed primary roads, and arrested over 70 Palestinians over the weekend. Additionally, authorities sealed the homes of two suspects accused of killing the soldiers ahead of planned demolitions.
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