Mosque Set Ablaze Near Nablus, Vandalized With Threats to US Ambassador

Palestinians reported on Tuesday that a group of extremists set fire to a mosque in the village of Bazariya, near the city of Nablus in the West Bank. The perpetrators also spray-painted messages on the mosque walls, including "Evacuations - Chaos" and "You have been warned." The suspects reportedly fled the scene before authorities arrived.

Among the graffiti was a message directed at U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Hammer, reading "Hammer - Greetings from the terrorists." This is believed to be a response to Hammer's strong condemnation of recent settler actions in the nearby Palestinian village of Kusra, where settlers allegedly surrounded Palestinian homes. Hammer had previously described the actions of the Jewish perpetrators as "disgusting terrorism" and referred to them as "Israeli terrorists."

Another message targeted Roy Sharon, a reporter for Kan news, who has frequently condemned Jewish rioters targeting Palestinians in the West Bank. The graffiti read, "Roy Sharon, watch your car."

In a separate but related development, Israeli police announced the arrest of eight suspects, aged 16 to 20, in connection with several serious arson and assault incidents in the southern Hebron Hills region. The suspects, residing in the West Bank and central Israel, were transferred for interrogation, and their detention is expected to be extended by a court. The Israel Police stated they "condemn and view with severity acts of violence and damage that harm the country's security and the entire settlement enterprise, and will continue to act with determination and professionalism to locate and arrest those involved."

Police and the Shin Bet security agency are continuing their investigation into riots in Kusra last weekend, where dozens of Israelis entered the village, barricaded themselves in a Palestinian home, and attacked foreign journalists. No arrests were made in that incident, though security forces reportedly have the names of some suspects and have attempted arrests. Authorities estimate that more arrests are likely in the coming period. Three vehicles suspected of being used by the rioters were confiscated.