A night‑time attack by Israeli settlers on a mosque in the occupied West Bank village has drawn strong condemnation from the United Nations and raised alarm over a broader spike in settler‑linked violence.
The violence took place overnight in the village of Deir Istiya when settlers set fire to carpets and copies of the Qur’an inside a mosque and spray‑painted hateful slogans on its walls.
Speaking in New York, UN Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric read a statement on behalf of UN Secretary‑General António Guterres:
“We are deeply disturbed by the attacks by Israeli settlers who set fire overnight to a mosque in a West Bank village. Such attacks on places of worship are completely unacceptable. … Israel, as the occupying power, has a responsibility to protect the civilian population and ensure that those responsible for these attacks … be brought to account.”
The incident occurs amid a dramatic uptick in settler attacks: In October 2025, the UN’s humanitarian agency recorded at least 264 attacks on Palestinians by settlers in the West Bank—the highest monthly number since tracking began in 2006.
Palestinian residents of the affected village described the fire as having been extinguished before spreading further, but the psychological damage was clear. Burning of religious texts, vandalism of the mosque’s interior and walls marked a chilling escalation.
The broader context: The West Bank is home to about 2.7 million Palestinians and over 500,000 Israeli settlers. Most international actors consider the settlements illegal under international law, a point firmly rejected by Israel. Reuters Israeli President Isaac Herzog and senior military commanders have publicly described recent settler violence as “shocking” and “crossing a red line”.
Analysts say this surge in violence threatens both the stability of the West Bank and prospects for a two‑state solution, as fear and mistrust grow among Palestinian communities. The UN warns that the pattern of attacks, destruction of property and lack of accountability risk fueling wider unrest.
The UN strongly condemns an arson attack on a mosque in the West Bank by Israeli settlers as settler‑linked violence reaches record levels in October 2025.
Yemen’s southern separatists have announced plans to hold a referendum on independence from the north within two years, a move likely to further esc...
Russian airstrikes have devasted apartment buildings in a residential area of Kharkiv, north-eastern Ukraine, injuring at least 25 people according to...
A 6.5-magnitude earthquake has struck the southern state of Guerrero in Mexico....
Suhail Shaheen, Afghanistan’s ambassador in Doha, has again urged the United Nations to transfer Afghanistan’s seat at the UN to the Taliban-led a...
The Head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami unveiled that the country’s civilian nuclear program has been the target of i...
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he would have a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday to discuss peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia as well as issues surrounding Gaza.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 2nd of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Democrat Zohran Mamdani officially took office as New York City’s mayor on Thursday, beginning his term with a public swearing-in ceremony on the steps of City Hall.
Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of targeting civilians during New Year attacks, as intensified fighting coincided with U.S.-led efforts to push both sides towards ending the nearly four-year war.
Dozens of people are feared dead and around 100 others injured after an explosion tore through a crowded bar during New Year’s Eve celebrations at the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, authorities said.
At least 47 people were killed and 112 injured after a fire broke out at a crowded bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana during New Year’s Eve celebrations, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told Italian media on Thursday.
India has approved a major arms deal with Israel valued at approximately $8.7 billion, highlighting the deepening defence partnership between the two countries.
Russian athletes will not be allowed to represent their country at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics even if a peace deal is reached with Ukraine, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry said in an interview with an Italian newspaper.
India and Pakistan on Thursday exchanged lists of nuclear facilities as well as civilian prisoners, under long-standing bilateral agreements, according to official statements from both countries.
The United Nations on Friday voiced serious concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan, warning that rising violence is increasingly affecting civilians.
Ukrainian officials reported on Friday that thousands of children and their parents were evacuated from frontline areas in the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions as Russian forces continued to advance.
Yemen’s southern separatists have announced plans to hold a referendum on independence from the north within two years, a move likely to further escalate tensions as Saudi-backed government forces seek to retake territory seized by the group last month.
A 6.5-magnitude earthquake has struck the southern state of Guerrero in Mexico.
Suhail Shaheen, Afghanistan’s ambassador in Doha, has again urged the United Nations to transfer Afghanistan’s seat at the UN to the Taliban-led administration, arguing the current arrangement no longer reflects realities in the country.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment