A mosque in the West Bank village of Marda was set on fire early Friday, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported, alleging that Israeli settlers were behind the attack.
Photos from the scene showed Hebrew graffiti sprayed on nearby walls, including the phrases "revenge" and "death to Arabs."
Masked individuals set fire to West Bank mosque
According to WAFA, local residents extinguished the flames before the fire could spread beyond the mosque’s entrance, limiting the damage to the building.
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The Palestinian governor of Salfit blamed the IDF for enabling the attack, claiming it provides protection for settlers. “This would not have happened without the continued protection that settlers receive from the Israeli military, which allows them to enter villages and carry out acts of vandalism,” the governor said.
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Graffiti reads 'death to Arabs' on a wall near a West Bank mosque that was set on fire
Palestinian officials called for international intervention, urging action against what they described as increasing settler violence in the West Bank.
The Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security agency, and the Israel Police announced a joint investigation into the incident. “We regard such events gravely and will work diligently to bring those responsible to justice,” the statement read.