The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs has issued a strong condemnation following an arson attack on the Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Mosque in the village of Tell, located west of Nablus. According to official reports, the fire was set by a group of Israeli settlers in the early hours of Monday.
Rising Violence Against Holy Sites
In a formal statement released via the Palestinian news agency WAFA, the Ministry highlighted a disturbing trend of daily assaults by extremist groups on both Palestinian property and religious sites. The Ministry described the burning of the mosque as a "barbaric act" fueled by systemic incitement, labeling it a blatant violation of religious sanctity and a direct assault on the feelings of Muslims.
A Record Year of Attacks
The Ministry’s report included alarming statistics from the previous year, noting that 45 mosques were subjected to various forms of aggression or vandalism in 2025. These incidents, often occurring under the protection of security forces, signify an escalation in the targeting of Islamic and Christian holy sites across the Palestinian territories.
Calls for International Protection
The arson in Tell has sparked renewed calls from Palestinian officials for international intervention to protect religious freedom and prevent further desecration of holy places. The Ministry emphasized that such acts of "racist incitement" only serve to deepen the conflict and undermine the safety of civilian populations.
Local residents in the village of Tell reported significant damage to the mosque's interior before the fire could be extinguished. The incident remains a flashpoint of tension in the Nablus region as authorities monitor the potential for further escalations.
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