West Bank violence escalates as settlers target mosques following deadly clash

Palestinian officials have reported that Israeli settlers set fire to two mosques, vandalised vehicles, and damaged agricultural land in the occupied West Bank overnight. The attacks occurred in the villages of Qusra and Kour, with reports indicating that a mosque under construction in Qusra was targeted and walls were spray-painted with hate graffiti, including the word "revenge". In Kour, another mosque was set alight and slogans were sprayed on its walls.

These incidents follow a violent clash near the village of Tal two days prior, which resulted in the deaths of four Palestinians and two Israelis. Both sides have accused each other of provoking the violence, further inflaming tensions in a territory that has seen ever-growing violence by extremist settlers, encouraged by far-right elements in the current Israeli government.

The Israeli military has deployed troops to Qusra and stated that police would investigate and collect evidence regarding the arson attacks. This deployment coincides with a wider security operation across the West Bank, where the Israel Defense Forces have carried out raids and arrested dozens of Palestinians in what it describes as a "counter-terrorism" effort.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the earlier clash in Tal by vowing to take "powerful action" against those involved. This includes the possible demolition of the homes of two Palestinians who were allegedly involved in the shooting that killed Israeli soldiers. The move underscores the intensifying security presence ordered by the Prime Minister in response to the escalating violence.

The surge in settler attacks has drawn international condemnation but shows little sign of being reversed. Since the start of the Gaza war, the UN reports that 1,114 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, with at least 35 deaths involving attacks by settlers. Meanwhile, 41 Israelis, including civilians and security personnel, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations in the region.

The demographic landscape of the West Bank remains a focal point of the conflict, with approximately 700,000 Jews living in settlements and 3.3 million Palestinians residing in the area. These settlements are considered illegal under international law, and the situation had already deteriorated significantly before the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023.