Israeli Police And Shin Bet Investigate Mosque Burning In West Bank

The mosque in the West Bank was burned by Israeli settlers. (Source: WAFA)

JAKARTA - Israeli police and Shin Bet said they had launched an investigation into the destruction and burning of mosques in the West Bank, determined to take the perpetrators to court for accountability.

In a joint statement the two agencies said the investigation was launched following the assessment of the situation, as well as officers gathering evidence and findings from the scene.

"We are seeing this incident seriously and will work with the will to bring those responsible to justice," the joint statement said.

As previously reported, Israeli settlers set fire to mosques in the West Bank, they also wrote "retaliatorys" to Arabs" on mosque buildings.

A black jelaga can be seen at the entrance to the Muslim holy place in Marda Village, Salfit Province, North West Bank. The fire was extinguished before it spread.

🚨Breaking: Israeli settler terrorists stormed the village of Marda in the West Bank, setting the mosque on fire while worshippers were praying inside, and spraying hateful graffiti. pic.twitter.com/EZQQmnzpA0

— Ihab Hassan (@IhabHassane) December 20, 2024

Breaking: Israel's settler terrorists stormed the village of Marda in the West Bank, setting the motion on fire while Britainpers were praying inside, and spraying hateful graffiti. pic.twitter.com/EZQmnzpA0

Local sources told WAFA a group of Israeli invaders stormed the eastern region of Marda and burned the al-Walidain Beer Mosque. They also sprayed racist slogans on the walls.

Local residents managed to control the fire before it spread throughout the mosque, thus limiting the damage to its entrance. No injuries were reported in the attack.

Waqf Director at Salfit Sheikh Othman al-Din condemned the arson attack, calling it a criminal act targeting places of worship.

The Ministry of Waqf and Religious Affairs also condemned the attack, calling on the international community and human rights organizations to denounce the aggression and hold accountable those responsible.

In a recent report documenting violations of religious sites, the Ministry highlighted the increasing number of attacks by Israeli troops and settlers.

During last November, the report stated 20 attacks on the Al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as 55 Israeli military incidents preventing the call to prayer at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron.

The report also details the destruction of the Al-Shayyah Mosque in the Jabal al-Mukabber neighborhood in occupied Jerusalem, which has been standing for 20 years. In addition, Israeli colonialists tarnished the Al-Baqar Angry Khirbet Mosque in the city of Dura, south of Hebron.

In another incident, Israeli forces damaged the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Mosque at the Nur Shams Refugee Camp and the Syuhada Mosque in the Tulkarm refugee camp.