World · Middle East · 3 hrs ago
Settlers set fire to mosque in occupied West Bank village
Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque in Mikhmas, a village in the occupied West Bank, early Wednesday.
A resident said villagers helped contain the blaze before it engulfed the building.
The fire damaged the mosque’s interior, and slogans were painted on its outer walls.
A nearby vehicle was also set on fire, according to the resident.
Israel’s military opened an investigation and said it had identified no suspects.
Mikhmas lies near Israeli settlement outposts, and villagers have recently started night patrols because they fear attacks on homes.
Settler attacks on Palestinians have increased in recent months, including assaults and damage to homes, crops and places of worship.
The sources do not say when the investigation will conclude.
Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque in the West Bank village of Mikhmas early on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
The fire damaged the mosque’s interior, and Hebrew slogans were spray-painted on its exterior walls.
Palestinian sources and the Israeli military reported the incident, and the military said it had opened an investigation.
Reports also said settlers set fire to a vehicle and an olive tree in the village.
- Who
- Israeli settlers were identified as responsible by Palestinian sources; the Israeli military said no suspects had been identified.
- What
- A mosque was set on fire and its exterior walls were graffitied. Reports also said a vehicle and an olive tree were set on fire.
- When
- Early Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Where
- Mikhmas, in the occupied West Bank.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Mikhmas resident Atta Kanaan said he heard breaking glass and went to the mosque, where he saw a fire.
Settlers set fires in Mikhmas, including at the mosque, according to Palestinian reports.
The Israeli military said soldiers were dispatched after reports of graffiti, arson and vehicle damage, and that an investigation had been opened.
- Village
- Mikhmas
- Date
- October 14, 2026
- Mosque damage
- Interior carpeting burned and walls blackened
- Israeli military response
- Soldiers dispatched; investigation opened
- Additional reported damage
- A vehicle and an olive tree set on fire
2 sources
What people are saying
A fire was burning fiercely, and we called the fire brigade. Young men rushed to help us with fire extinguishers, and we managed to contain part of the fire before the flames engulfed the entire mosque.
No suspects were identified
a barbaric act and a dangerous escalation in settler terrorism