Mosque Set Ablaze in West Bank, Reporter and US Envoy Threatened

Jewish vandals set fire to a mosque in the Palestinian village of Bazariya in the West Bank on Tuesday night. They also spray-painted threats against Israeli military correspondent Roi Sharon and the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Harkavy, on the mosque's walls. One message read, "Evacuations equal chaos. You have been warned." Another directly threatened Sharon, stating, "Roi Sharon, watch your car," apparently in response to his social media posts critical of "hilltop youth" (a term for young Jewish settlers often living in unauthorized outposts). A separate message targeted Ambassador Harkavy, saying, "Greetings from the terrorists." Kan News, where Sharon works, condemned the threats, stating that attempts to intimidate journalists would not succeed and would not deter Sharon or the newsroom from providing reliable reporting on disturbances in Judea and Samaria.

In connection with the incident and other serious arson and assault events in the southern Hebron Hills area, Israeli police arrested eight suspects overnight. The suspects, aged 16-20, are residents of the Judea and Samaria region and central Israel. Three vehicles suspected of being used in the offenses were seized. Police intend to seek the extension of their detention in court, and the investigation is ongoing. The Israel Police stated they "condemn and view with severity acts of violence and damage that harm the security of the state and the entire settlement enterprise, and will continue to act with determination and professionalism to locate and arrest those involved in these cases throughout Judea and Samaria, investigate them, and prosecute them accordingly."