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Israeli police say they are searching for suspects after damage was reported inside a mosque near Al-Minya, close to Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, where holy Islamic books were set on fire. Palestinian local officials and regional outlets blamed Israeli settlers, saying the mosque was broken into on Sunday night, February 8, with copies of the Qur’an burned or damaged, carpets stolen, and electrical wiring cut. Israeli media reports, citing police, said officers from the Etzion station and Border Police were deployed and that an investigation is underway, but also described the site as an “abandoned” mosque — a claim Palestinian accounts dispute, insisting the mosque was furnished and connected to electricity. No injuries were reported. The incident has intensified fears among Palestinians about community safety and the protection of worship sites, as the United Nations and humanitarian monitors warn of rising displacement and protection risks in parts of the West Bank linked to settler violence and access restrictions. While Israeli authorities investigate, key details — including who carried out the attack and whether the mosque was in active use — remain disputed or unclear.
By DeenReportIsraeli police say they are searching for suspects after damage was reported inside a mosque near Al-Minya, close to Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, where holy Islamic books were set on fire. Palestinian local officials and regional outlets blamed Israeli settlers, saying the mosque was broken into on Sunday night, February 8, with copies of the Qur’an burned or damaged, carpets stolen, and electrical wiring cut. Israeli media reports, citing police, said officers from the Etzion station and Border Police were deployed and that an investigation is underway, but also described the site as an “abandoned” mosque — a claim Palestinian accounts dispute, insisting the mosque was furnished and connected to electricity. No injuries were reported. The incident has intensified fears among Palestinians about community safety and the protection of worship sites, as the United Nations and humanitarian monitors warn of rising displacement and protection risks in parts of the West Bank linked to settler violence and access restrictions. While Israeli authorities investigate, key details — including who carried out the attack and whether the mosque was in active use — remain disputed or unclear.