Israeli settlers have set fire to two mosques, as well as cars and agricultural land in the occupied West Bank, according to Palestinian officials, with the latest incidents occurring on November 2023, in the villages of Qusra and Kour. The attacks come two days after a clash between settlers and Palestinians near the village of Tal, which left four Palestinians and two Israelis dead.

Escalating Tensions in the West Bank

The West Bank has seen a sharp increase in settler attacks in recent months, drawing international condemnation, with the United Nations reporting that 1,114 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, the vast majority by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). At least 35 of the deaths have involved attacks by settlers, while 41 Israelis, including civilians and security personnel, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations in the West Bank.

The Israeli military has said that troops were sent to Qusra and that police would investigate and collect evidence, following the attack on the mosque, which was under construction. The mayor of Qusra, Abdul Azim Wadi, reported that settlers sprayed graffiti, including the word "revenge", on the walls of the mosque.

Background to the Conflict

The West Bank has been occupied by Israel since the 1967 Middle East war, with hundreds of settlements housing 700,000 Jews, alongside an estimated 3.3 million Palestinians. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, and the Palestinians claim the land, along with Gaza and East Jerusalem, for a future state.

The situation in the West Bank has deteriorated further since the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent war waged by Israel against Hamas in Gaza. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has vowed to take "powerful action" in response to the incident in Tal, including the possible demolition of the homes of two of the Palestinians allegedly involved.

What Happens Next

The international community will be watching the situation in the West Bank closely, as the conflict continues to escalate. The United Nations and other organizations have called for calm and restraint, while the Israeli and Palestinian leaders have been urged to return to the negotiating table to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen what actions will be taken to address the growing violence and instability in the region.

  • 1,114 Palestinians killed in the West Bank since the Gaza war started
  • 35 deaths involved attacks by settlers
  • 41 Israelis killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations