Zionist settlers set fire to two homes, mosque in Masafer Yatta near Hebron

HEBRON, July 19 (YPA) – Zionist settlers set fire to two Palestinian homes and a mosque in the village of Al-Tuwani in the Masafer Yatta area, south of Hebron, overnight, causing extensive damage, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported, citing sources.

According to Palestinian sources, settlers from the Havat Ma’on colonial outpost raided the village and used flammable materials to ignite the Al-Tuwani Mosque and two residential homes, while under the protection of Israeli forces.

During their incursion, the settlers also vandalized Palestinian property, including a vehicle, the sources added.

The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs condemned the attack, describing the burning of a mosque as a dangerous escalation and an act that crossed all red lines.

In a statement, the ministry said the attack on Al-Tuwani Mosque constituted “a fully fledged terrorist act” carried out with the backing of the Israeli government, which it said was seeking to displace Palestinians from Masafer Yatta.

The ministry held the Israeli government fully responsible for the attack and its consequences, warning that international silence over attacks by Israeli settlers encourages further violence.

It also called on the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and international human rights organizations to intervene immediately, hold Israel and the settlers accountable, and provide urgent international protection for Palestinians and their Islamic and Christian holy sites.

@E.Y.M