Settlers Attack Mosque in Mikhmas, Burning Vehicle and Olive Trees

A mosque in the village of Mikhmas, northeast of Jerusalem, was attacked early Wednesday, with assailants setting fire to part of the building, a vehicle, and surrounding olive trees. Sa'ed Abu Ali, head of the Mikhmas Village Council, stated in a phone interview that the attackers also wrote slogans calling for revenge and arson on the mosque. He condemned the attack on a place of worship and Palestinian property, emphasizing the need to respect all religious sites. Abu Ali noted that while the village has experienced previous attacks on vehicles, this is the first time the mosque has been targeted in this manner. He reported that four masked individuals fled the scene, choosing an area without surveillance cameras, which hindered identification. Local youths and civil defense teams managed to control the fire, preventing it from engulfing the entire mosque. The Israeli military arrived at the scene and began an investigation into the incident. Abu Ali described Mikhmas as being in Area B under the Oslo Accords, with Palestinian civil administration and Israeli security responsibility. He stressed the symbolic and religious significance of the mosque, warning that repeated attacks increase residents' fears for their safety and property. The swift response to the fire prevented total destruction, but residents demand the perpetrators be identified and held accountable.