Hamas condemns settlers torching West Bank mosque
3 Min Read
Hamas condemned the arson attack on the Hajjeh Hamideh Mosque, as settlers set it ablaze near Salfit, highlighting rising assaults across the West Bank.
-
Hajjeh Hamideh mosque that was torched and defaced by Israeli settlers overnight, in the West Bank town of Deir Istiya, Thursday, November 13, 2025 (Social Media)
The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, condemned the arson attack carried out by Israeli settlers against the Hajjeh Hamideh Mosque in the northern West Bank, saying the act exposes the extremism driving the Israeli occupation’s policies.
In a statement, the movement said that “the burning of the Hajjeh Hamideh Mosque by Zionist settler gangs exposes the level of sadism and racism that characterizes the Israeli occupation.”
It added that “the terrorist settlers’ crimes against our land, our people, and our sanctities take place with full support and sponsorship from the fascist occupation government,” urging immediate international action “to rein in this rogue entity that violates all international laws, norms, and heavenly teachings.”
Arson hits West Bank
The attack took place earlier today when settlers poured flammable materials at the entrance of the mosque, located between Deir Istiya and Kifl Hares northwest of Salfit, and set it on fire. Residents intervened quickly, limiting the damage and preventing the mosque from being completely destroyed.
The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs also condemned the arson, saying it “clearly reflects the level of barbarism reached by the Israeli racist incitement machine against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Palestine.” The ministry added that the attack constituted “a blatant assault on Muslims and their feelings.”
The incident is part of a growing pattern of settler violence across the occupied West Bank, where Palestinian homes, communities, and religious sites continue to face escalating attacks under the protection of the Israeli occupation authorities.
Meanwhile, a Palestinian woman sustained bruises after settlers pelted Palestinian vehicles with stones in the village of al-Rashaida, east of Beit Lahm.
Settlers burn mosque
In yet other attacks, Israeli settlers set fire early Thursday to the Hajjeh Hamideh Mosque, located between the towns of Deir Istiya and Kifl Haris northwest of Salfit, after pouring flammable materials at its entrance. Residents intervened in time to prevent the mosque from burning down completely.
Nadhmi al-Salman, an activist against settlement expansion, told the WAFA news agency that the settlers also spray-painted racist slogans hostile to Arabs and Muslims on the mosque’s walls.
The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs condemned the attack, saying the arson “clearly reflects the barbarity of Israel’s racist incitement machine against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Palestine,” describing the assault as a “flagrant offense against Muslims and their sentiments.”
The ministry said there is no longer any safe place of worship amid ongoing assaults by Israeli forces and settlers, describing the incident as “a new act of provocative racism” added to a series of crimes targeting holy sites.
