Occupied west bank: The early hours of July 26 witnessed yet another surge of violence in the occupied West Bank as illegal occupiers, with the backing of Israeli forces, carried out coordinated raids on Palestinian villages. In Qusra, located in the Nablus governorate, the newly constructed Al-Rahma mosque was set ablaze, its walls defaced with Hebrew graffiti demanding "revenge." Nearby, in the village of Kur, occupiers stormed and partially damaged the mosque's building and interior. These incidents form part of a broader escalation of occupier violence across the region.
According to Anadolu Agency, the past decade has seen a dramatic increase in attacks by Israeli extremist occupiers and security forces on Palestinian mosques across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Data compiled by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) and corroborated by Anadolu indicates that 62 mosque-related incidents have been recorded between 2017 and mid-2026. An analysis reveals a marked increase after October 2023, with incidents rising from an average of four per year between 2017 and 2022 to a yearly average of 10 from 2023 through July 2026.
The year 2026 has already reported 11 incidents, the highest since records began in 2017. The Palestinian Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs reports that since the start of 2026, 13 mosques have been violated by Israeli forces and occupiers. Their 2025 report highlighted attacks on 45 mosques across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, involving partial destruction or desecration.
The nature of these attacks has evolved significantly over the years. Initially characterized by sporadic acts of vandalism, these attacks have developed into a frequent, coordinated campaign. Earlier incidents involved racist graffiti, vandalism, and attempted arson. More recently, however, mosques have been burned, copies of the Quran desecrated, and worshippers attacked.
The escalation of violence against mosques is evident with each passing year. In 2017 and 2018, a series of arson and 'price tag' attacks were recorded, notably including the attempted arson of a mosque in Tuwani village, Hebron, and the burning of a mosque in Aqraba village near Nablus. By 2019, the number of attacks surged to nine, marking the highest annual total before the Gaza war.
The pattern of attacks continued through 2020 and 2021, with incidents involving arson and vandalism. In 2022, attacks expanded to include mosque property and worshippers. The year 2023 saw a sharp increase in violence, both before and after the conflict in Gaza began in October, with eight incidents recorded.
In 2024, attacks increasingly targeted mosque interiors and worshippers, with nine incidents documented. Arson became the dominant method in 2025, with several incidents involving fires, attempts to ignite religious buildings, and racist graffiti. By 2026, attacks reached their highest annual level, with 11 incidents recorded so far.
The ongoing violence highlights the persistent and escalating threat faced by Palestinian mosques and worshippers in the occupied territories.