Media: Israeli settlers vandalise mosque in Deir Ballut, West Bank

A group of Israeli settlers stormed and vandalised a mosque in the town of Deir Ballut on the afternoon of January 2, Iranian semi-official Tasnim agency reported, citing local sources.

According to witnesses, the settlers forced their way into the al-Salam Mosque, ransacked its contents and blocked roads leading to the town’s main junction. The incident comes amid a rise in settler attacks targeting Palestinian property and religious sites in the Salfit area.

The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs separately condemned the intrusion. In a statement, the ministry described the incident as a desecration of the mosque and an attack on Muslim places of worship.

In parallel developments elsewhere in the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces raided the Jalazun refugee camp north of Ramallah. Local sources said troops entered the camp and fired live ammunition toward Palestinians.

Israeli forces also stormed the town of Ni’lin, west of Ramallah, where soldiers reportedly fired tear gas canisters at residents, triggering clashes. Similar confrontations were reported on Friday evening during an Israeli raid on the town of Silwad, northeast of Ramallah, where youths confronted troops, according to local sources.

In another incident, settlers attacked the Briq area in the northern Jordan Valley. The Palestinian Red Crescent said one Palestinian was injured in the assault.

Local sources also reported settler incursions into several villages, including Atara, north of Ramallah, where a settler reportedly grazed livestock on Palestinian land in what was described as a provocative act.

Separately, forces raided the village of Burin, south of Nablus, sparking clashes with local youths. Troops also targeted the town of Burqa, northwest of Nablus, according to local reports.

By Tamilla Hasanova