Escalating Tensions in West Bank: Mosques and Vehicles Targeted

Tensions have escalated in the occupied West Bank as Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian villages intensified over the weekend. Mosques and vehicles were set on fire, and new settlement points were established. The Israeli army arrested dozens of Palestinians in raids.In the West Bank city of Nablus, the Israeli army arrested around 40 Palestinians, including a woman and former prisoners. At the same time, Israeli settlers established a new settlement point on land belonging to the village of Deyr Istiya in the Salfit district. A new settlement outpost was also reported to have been set up on land belonging to the village of Umm Safa, northwest of Ramallah.According to Israeli Army Radio, at least 30 settler attacks on Palestinians were recorded across the West Bank over the weekend. The military correspondent for Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that Palestinian villages were targeted in overnight 'price tag' attacks, with mosques and vehicles set on fire and revenge slogans written on buildings.A slogan reading 'Revenge for Benayahu' was written on the wall of a mosque in the town of Kusra, near Nablus. The slogan refers to Israeli settler Benayahu Melt, who was killed on Friday in the village of Tal. As settler attacks increased, calls for mass mobilization were made across the West Bank. The Israeli army closed military checkpoints around Ramallah, further restricting movement in the area.Journalist Nour Odeh, reporting from Ramallah, told Al Jazeera that Palestinians spent the night in great fear. According to Odeh, many Palestinians stood guard throughout the night to protect their homes and families from settler arson attacks.