“The burning of the Hajj Hamide Mosque by Zionist settler gangs exposes the level of sadism and racism that characterizes the Israeli occupation,” Hamas said in a statement late Thursday, Lebanese news agency al-Mayadeen reported.
“The crimes of terrorist settlers against our land, people and sanctity are being carried out with the full support and auspices of a fascist occupation cabinet,” it said, calling for immediate international action to “curb this unjust entity, which violates all international laws, norms and divine teachings.”
The attack occurred early on Thursday when settlers poured flammable material into the entrance of the mosque, located between Deir Istiyah and Kifl Hares, northwest of Salfit, and set it on fire. Thanks to the quick intervention of local residents, the damage was kept to a minimum and the mosque was saved from complete destruction.
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 come under escalating attacks under the protection of Israeli occupation authorities.
MNA