‘Israeli’ settlers burn Qurans in attack on mosque in West Bank’s Bethlehem

• ‘Israeli’ settlers raided a mosque between the villages of Kisan and al-Minya, where they burned Qurans, stole carpets, and cut electrical wires.
• ‘Israeli’ police claimed the mosque was abandoned but said they are searching for suspects involved in the arson of the holy books.

‘Israeli’ settlers stormed a mosque on Sunday even southwest of Bethlehem in the West Bank, burning Qurans, stealing carpets and cutting electrical wires.

Zaed Kawazbeh, head of the al-Minya village council, in a statement to Palestinian media outlets, said that a group of settlers raided a mosque located between the villages of Kisan and al-Minya, causing extensive damage inside.

Kawazbeh added that the settlers released their sheep to graze on the surrounding land and trees, damaging several trees in what he described as a provocative act aimed at insulting the sanctity of the religious site.

He said the attack comes amid a surge in settler assaults on Palestinian villages southeast of Bethlehem, including repeated incursions, vandalism of public and private property, and attacks on agricultural land.

Hebrew media said ‘Israeli’ police are searching for the suspects who set fire to the Islamic holy books.

‘Israeli’ police claimed the mosque was abandoned, despite being furnished and connected to electricity.

No injuries were reported in the break-in and vandalism, according to the statement by the police.