Israeli settlers accused of setting Mosque Ablaze in West Bank village

MIKHMAS: An attack blamed on Israeli settlers damaged a mosque in the occupied West Bank village of Mikhmas on Wednesday after flames engulfed parts of the building and Hebrew slogans were spray-painted on its exterior walls, prompting fresh concerns over the safety of Palestinian communities.

The incident took place shortly after midnight, when local residents heard breaking glass and rushed to the mosque as a fire spread inside, according to Palestinian sources and an account given to AFP by a nearby resident.

Atta Kanaan, who lives about 50 metres from the mosque, said he heard the noise and immediately went to investigate.

“A fire was burning fiercely, and we called the fire brigade,” he told AFP. He said young men from the village arrived with fire extinguishers and helped contain the blaze before it destroyed the entire building.

Footage recorded by AFP showed that the fire had destroyed the mosque’s interior carpeting and left its walls blackened by smoke. Hebrew-language slogans were also visible on the building’s outside walls, including the phrase, “just because we are quiet doesn’t mean we are asleep”.

The attack was accompanied by the burning of a vehicle, Kanaan said, adding that residents had grown increasingly concerned about the possibility of further attacks on their homes.

He said villagers had organised night-watch patrols in recent weeks because they feared that settlers might target houses, particularly those located on the outskirts of Mikhmas.

The Israeli military confirmed that soldiers had been dispatched to the village following reports of arson and graffiti at the mosque, along with damage to a vehicle.

However, the military said no suspects had been identified and an investigation had been opened into the incident.

The attack drew condemnation from Rouhi Fattouh, president of the Palestinian National Council, who described the mosque arson as “a barbaric act and a dangerous escalation in settler terrorism”.

The incident adds to concerns about violence against Palestinian residents and property in the occupied West Bank, where communities have reported threats and attacks amid continuing tensions.

For residents of Mikhmas, the latest incident has intensified fears that homes and religious sites could face further attacks. The formation of neighbourhood night patrols reflects growing anxiety among villagers seeking to protect their families and property.

Mosques hold deep religious and cultural significance for Palestinian communities, making attacks on such sites particularly distressing for residents.

While the Israeli military has launched an investigation, the identities of those responsible remain unknown. No arrests had been reported in the information available on Wednesday.

Residents are now left to deal with the damage and uncertainty surrounding the attack, as questions remain over who carried it out and whether those responsible will be identified and held accountable.