The Israeli military announced on Thursday that its troops shot and killed two suspected militants in a West Bank town, while Palestinian officials accused Israeli settlers of setting a mosque on fire in another part of the territory.
The West Bank has witnessed a sharp surge in settler attacks in recent weeks, drawing international condemnation and even unusual criticism from inside Israel’s own security establishment.
In a brief statement, the Israeli army said, “A short while ago, IDF soldiers who were operating adjacent to the community of Karmei Zur, eliminated two terrorists who were on their way to carry out a terror attack,” without elaborating further. Palestinian authorities also did not release additional information about the incident.
Elsewhere in the territory, Palestinian officials said Israeli settlers torched the Hajja Hamida mosque near Deir Istiya in the northern West Bank.
The Palestinian foreign ministry in Ramallah denounced the incident, calling it a serious violation of the sanctity of religious sites and evidence of what it described as the “deep-rooted racism driving settlers under the protection of the occupying government.”
Images captured by AFP from the mosque showed charred copies of the Koran, soot-stained walls, and graffiti sprayed across one exterior wall.
According to the Israeli military, security forces responded after receiving “a report and footage… regarding suspects who set fire to a mosque and sprayed graffiti.”
In its statement, the army said no suspects were identified following a review of the scene, and the matter was transferred to Israeli police and the security agency for investigation.
“The IDF condemns any form of violence and will continue to operate to safeguard the security and order in the area,” the military added.
The attack on the mosque prompted strong international reactions.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the arson, with his spokesperson stating that “such acts of violence and desecration of religious sites are unacceptable,” warning that they reflect a growing pattern of extremist attacks that must be halted immediately.
The incident occurred a day after Israel’s army chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, vowed to curb settler violence.
“We are aware of the recent violent incidents in which Israeli civilians attacked Palestinians and Israelis. I strongly condemn them,” he said. “These acts contradict our values, cross a red line, and divert the attention of our troops from their mission. We are determined to stop this phenomenon and will act decisively until justice is served.”
Israel has controlled the West Bank since 1967, and more than 500,000 Israeli settlers now live across the territory. While only a minority engage in violence, Palestinians say arrests are rare and enforcement is weak. Every Israeli settlement in the West Bank is considered illegal under international law.
Earlier this month, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that October 2025 was the worst month for settler violence since documentation began in 2006, recording at least 264 attacks resulting in casualties or property damage. The vast majority of perpetrators have not faced prosecution.
Violence has escalated throughout the West Bank since the war in Gaza erupted in October 2023.
According to the Palestinian health ministry, at least 1,003 Palestinians—including militants—have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers since the conflict began. Over the same period, Israeli officials say 43 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks in the West Bank.
What You Should Know
The latest incidents highlight growing instability in the West Bank, where settler attacks, military operations, and retaliatory violence have surged since the Gaza conflict began in 2023.
The torching of the Hajja Hamida mosque and the killing of two suspected militants occurred amid the worst spike in settler violence recorded in nearly two decades. International bodies, including the UN, have expressed alarm over rising extremism and the lack of accountability for perpetrators.
With more than 500,000 settlers living in the West Bank and tensions deepening, analysts warn that the region is entering a dangerous phase with significant potential for further escalation.
