The Israeli military said on Thursday that its troops shot and killed two suspected Palestinian militants in the occupied West Bank, as tensions escalated further amid accusations that Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque in the northern part of the territory.
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According to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), troops operating near the settlement of Karmei Zur “eliminated two terrorists who were on their way to carry out a terror attack.” No additional details were provided, and Palestinian authorities also did not immediately release information on the incident.
Mosque Set Ablaze in Suspected Settler Arson
Separately, the Palestinian foreign ministry in Ramallah accused Israeli settlers of torching the Hajja Hamida mosque near Deir Istiya.
The ministry said the attack “blatantly violates the sanctity of places of worship” and reflects “the deep-rooted racism driving settlers under the protection of the occupying government.”
AFP images from the site showed burnt copies of the Quran, smoke-blackened walls, and graffiti on the outer structure.
The Israeli military said security forces were called to the scene after receiving reports and footage of suspects involved in the arson and vandalism. It said no suspects were identified, and the case was handed over to the police and security agency.
“The IDF condemns any form of violence and will continue to operate to safeguard the security and order in the area,” the statement added.
International Outcry
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the mosque attack, calling it “unacceptable.” His spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said the arson was part of “an increasing pattern of extremist violence that is inflaming tensions and must stop immediately.”
The attack came a day after Israeli army chief Lt Gen Eyal Zamir vowed to clamp down on settler violence, describing recent incidents as actions that “cross a red line” and undermine the army’s mission.
Record High Settler Violence
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) recently reported that October 2025 was the worst month for settler violence since record-keeping began in 2006, documenting at least 264 attacks causing injury or property damage.
Despite the rise, Palestinian communities say the vast majority of perpetrators face no accountability.
Wider Context of Escalating Conflict
Violence across the West Bank has surged since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.
1,003 Palestinians — including militants — have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza conflict, according to Palestinian health authorities.
43 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks in the West Bank over the same period, Israeli officials say.
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, with more than 500,000 Israeli settlers now living in settlements considered illegal under international law. A minority of settlers engage in violent attacks against Palestinians, which rights groups say are rarely prosecuted.
