Israeli troops kill two West Bank Palestinians

Settlers set mosque ablaze as violence surges

DEIR ISTIYA:

The Israeli military said its troops killed two suspected militants in a town in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, while Palestinian officials accused Israeli settlers of setting fire to a mosque in the territory.

Settler violence has surged in recent weeks across the West Bank, drawing international condemnation and even rare criticism from within the Israeli military and government.

"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," the military said in a statement, without providing details. Palestinian authorities also did not provide any details.

Meanwhile, the Ramallah-based Palestinian foreign ministry said Israeli settlers set ablaze the Hajja Hamida mosque near the town of Deir Istiya in the north.

"This blatantly violates the sanctity of places of worship and reflects the deep-rooted racism driving settlers under the protection of the occupying government," the ministry said.

AFP photographs from the scene showed burnt copies of the Koran and walls blackened by smoke. A wall of the mosque was also graffitied.

The Israeli military said that security forces were dispatched to the scene on Thursday following "a report and footage... regarding suspects who set fire to a mosque and sprayed graffiti."

In a statement, it said that no suspects were identified after a review of the incident, which was handed over to the Israeli police and security agency.

"The IDF condemns any form of violence and will continue to operate to safeguard the security and order in the area," it added.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack, with his spokesman saying that "such acts of violence and desecration of religious sites are unacceptable."

"Such incidents are part of an increasing pattern of extremist violence that is inflaming tensions and must stop immediately," spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. Thursday's arson attack came a day after Israeli army chief pledged to halt settler violence.

"We are aware of the recent violent incidents in which Israeli civilians attacked Palestinians and Israelis. I strongly condemn them," Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said in a statement. AFP