Feb 23 • 08:38 UTC 🇶🇦 Qatar Al Jazeera

Settlers burn a mosque in Nablus and cut down olive trees in Ramallah

Settlers have set fire to a mosque in Nablus and vandalized olive trees in Ramallah amidst rising tensions in the West Bank.

Early Monday, settlers attacked a mosque situated between the villages of Tal and Surra in the Nablus area of the West Bank, setting fire to parts of the building and writing racist slogans on its walls. This incident took place amid a broader campaign of incursions by the Israeli military across various locations in the occupied West Bank, during which at least nine Palestinians were arrested. These violent acts further exacerbate the already tense atmosphere in the region, highlighting ongoing conflicts surrounding religious sites.

The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf condemned the mosque burning as indicative of the rising anti-Palestinian sentiment and violence against holy places in the region. They noted that last year alone, settlers attacked 45 mosques, fostering an environment of fear and intimidation among the Palestinian community. The ministry's statements reflect a broader concern about the protection of sacred sites and the implications of such aggressions on religious freedom and coexistence in Palestine.

This particular incident illustrates the increasing challenges faced by Palestinians who contend with not only physical violence from settlers but also the legal and military support that these settlers receive from the Israeli state. The brazen vandalism of religious sites marks a dangerous trend in the ongoing conflict, which could further incite tensions between Palestinian and Israeli communities, potentially leading to wider escalations if unaddressed.

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