Israeli settlers torch two West Bank mosques: Palestinian officials

Lead

Israeli settlers set fire to two mosques in the West Bank on Wednesday, according to Palestinian officials, causing damage and leaving graffiti, including messages in Hebrew. The incidents occurred in the villages of Jiljiliya and Mazari an-Nubani, north of Ramallah, and have drawn condemnation from several Muslim-majority countries, which hold Israel responsible as the occupying power.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from Dawn and The Hindu — World describe the events consistently, though with different emphases. Dawn's coverage focuses on the international reaction, highlighting a joint statement from the foreign ministers of eight Muslim-majority countries. The Hindu — World provides more detailed on-the-ground accounts, including quotes from local officials and descriptions of the damage.

Both outlets note that the incidents come during a period of increased attacks against Palestinian communities by settlers in the Israeli-occupied West Bank since the start of the Gaza conflict in 2023.

Key Claims

• Arson and Graffiti: According to the mayors of Jiljiliya and Mazari an-Nubani, Israeli settlers set fire to mosques in both villages. Journalists at one site saw scorched walls and graffiti. The Hindu — World quoted Osama Abdullah, head of the village council in Jiljiliya, saying settlers set fire to the ablution room, caused damage to the main mosque, and scrawled hostile slogans on the outer walls. The Hindu — World also reported that AFP journalists saw ceilings, walls, and floors blackened by smoke and flames.

• Graffiti Content: Graffiti on the walls included Hebrew messages, some reading "vengeance" and "Hi, from the Hilltop Youth." The Hilltop Youth are described by The Hindu — World as a group of Israelis in the West Bank regularly accused of violence towards Palestinians they seek to evict from areas they want to take over.

• Military Response: Israel's military confirmed the arson and graffiti but did not identify the perpetrators. The Hindu — World quotes a military statement: "The forces searched the area for suspects and located two burnt mosques, as well as graffiti on the walls. The suspects had fled prior to the arrival of the forces."

• Timing of Attacks: Both Dawn and The Hindu — World note that the incidents occurred amid a period of increased settler violence against Palestinian communities since the Gaza conflict began in 2023.

• International Condemnation: Dawn reports that the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkiye issued a joint statement lambasting "the continued and escalating settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank" and holding Israel, as the occupying power, responsible for the attacks. This claim is carried by Dawn.

• Local Accounts: The Hindu — World provides additional details from local officials. Osama Abdullah said settlers arrived between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., found the mosque door locked, and set fire to a lower-floor ablution room. Palestinian civil defence crews and villagers extinguished the blaze. In nearby Mazari an-Nubani, the head of the village council, Saad Dagher, told AFP that settlers came to torch another mosque overnight.

Perspectives

Palestinian Officials: Local officials, including Osama Abdullah and Saad Dagher, describe the incidents as deliberate attacks by Israeli settlers, detailing the damage and the timing of the arson attempts.

Israeli Military: The military confirms the events but does not attribute responsibility, stating that suspects fled before forces arrived.

Muslim-Majority Countries: The foreign ministers of eight countries hold Israel, as the occupying power, responsible for the attacks and condemn escalating settler violence.