Escalation in Religious Site Violations
The Wall and Settlement Resistance Authority has documented a total of 23 arson and attempted arson incidents targeting Palestinian mosques and their affiliated facilities from the beginning of 2023 through October 11, 2026. According to a statement released by the authority on Wednesday, settlers carried out 20 of these attacks, while three were attributed to the Israeli military. This data indicates a significant rise in violations against places of worship.
The breakdown of incidents reveals that the year 2023 saw three recorded events, followed by one incident in 2024, and six in 2025. The number surged to 13 incidents from the start of the current year until October 11, accounting for approximately 55 percent of the total documented cases during this period.
Recent Incidents and Geographic Spread
These figures coincide with an attack launched by settlers early Wednesday morning in the town of Makhamis, northeast of occupied Jerusalem. During a raid involving dozens of settlers after midnight, fire was set to a mosque in the area. The assault also resulted in the complete burning of a Palestinian vehicle, damage to an olive tree near the mosque, and harm to the building’s entrance.
The authority noted that the violations extend beyond mere attempts at arson, encompassing direct attacks on mosque structures, entrances, facilities, women’s prayer areas, and copies of the Quran. The geographic scope of these attacks covers multiple governorates in the West Bank, including villages such as Surra, Duma, Jibya, Kafr Qasim, Barqa, Jaljulia, Nobani Farms, Tuwanah, Kura, Qasrah, and Bazariya.
Specific clusters of violence were recorded in June and July. June saw attacks in Barqa, Jaljulia, and Nobani Farms, including two separate incidents on June 17 targeting mosques in different locations within the Ramallah and Al-Bireh governorate. On July 26, arson attacks occurred in Kura in the Tulkarm governorate and Qasrah in the Nablus governorate, with one incident affecting the Rahma Mosque, which was under construction.
Legal and Human Rights Implications
The authority emphasized that these attacks infringe upon freedom of religious practice and undermine the sense of security among Palestinians. It stated that these violations occur within a broader context of colonial pressures on Palestinian communities, particularly in rural areas, where agricultural land and livelihoods are also targeted.
Citing international humanitarian law, including the Hague Convention of 1907 and the Fourth Geneva Convention, the authority asserted that protected status must be accorded to buildings dedicated to religious purposes. It called for independent investigations into all incidents, the preservation of evidence, and accountability for those responsible. The organization urged the international community and UN bodies to enforce legal obligations to protect Palestinian religious sites and end impunity.
