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.
U.S. efforts to squeeze Iran’s economy through an oil blockade and sanctions are becoming increasingly difficult for Tehran to withstand, acc...
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citi...
The 83rd Venice Film Festival has opened on the Lido, bringing Hollywood stars and leading filmmakers together for a programme dominated by war, po...
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he thinks there is a chance of a peace being reached with Ukraine. He told the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia that he believed there was "a chance of finding a solution," to the conflict.
The Iranian Health Ministry said at least 18 people were killed and 142 others injured in U.S. airstrikes carried out between 30 August and 2 September.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 3rd of September, covering the latest developments.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
Thousands of residents of Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta took to the streets on Wednesday to protest the government’s handling of a migration crisis that followed a deadly border surge in July.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
Southern Chinese provinces were bracing for more torrential rain on Friday after Typhoon Saudel triggered severe flooding, swamping vehicles, collapsing at least one building and forcing mass evacuations.
President Donald Trump is leaving more than a paper trail from his time in office. The U.S. is now minting commemorative $1 coins for America’s 250th anniversary, featuring a portrait of the sitting president.
Pacific Island leaders expressed concern about China's Pacific missile test at their annual summit, though Nauru formally dissented, in a meeting largely overshadowed by Beijing's objections to Taiwan's presence.
China’s southern coastal provinces of Fujian and Guangdong are bracing for more torrential rain after Typhoon Saudel triggered widespread flooding, swept away vehicles and caused a three-storey building to collapse.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment