World News
Attacks reported on two West Bank mosques amid heightened regional tensions
Palestinian officials and witnesses reported tear gas fired into a mosque in Madama and an arson attempt in Bazariya.
The short version
- Israeli forces allegedly fired tear gas into a mosque during evening prayers in Madama, while settlers attempted an arson attack on a mosque in Bazariya.
- Worshippers and local residents were affected, with reports of suffocation among elderly congregants and vandalism at the religious sites.
- Palestinian officials condemned the incidents and warned that targeting places of worship risks inflaming wider religious conflict.
- Israeli authorities have not yet issued official statements addressing the specific incidents or potential investigations.
Key facts
- The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Affairs reported that Israeli forces launched tear gas into a mosque in Madama near Nablus during evening prayers, causing several worshippers to suffer from suffocation.[Al Jazeera]
- Residents and reports indicated an attempted arson at the Nur al-Din Zanki Mosque in Bazariya, which left burn marks on a window and Hebrew graffiti on the exterior walls.[Al Jazeera]
- The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Affairs stated that roughly 13 mosques have experienced violations by Israeli troops or settlers since the start of 2026.[Al Jazeera]
- The office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a statement condemning the attacks and cautioning that systematic assaults on religious sites could spark broader conflict.[Al Jazeera]
- The United Nations reported in August that over 1,430 settler attacks resulting in casualties or property damage occurred in the West Bank this year, alongside the displacement of approximately 3,800 people.[Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- Israeli military and law enforcement officials have not provided confirmation, operational context, or comment regarding the tear gas incident in Madama or the arson attempt in Bazariya.[Al Jazeera]