West Bank mosque reportedly set on fire and defaced as Ramadan begins

Palestinian authorities reported that Israeli settlers vandalized the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Mosque in Tell, near Nablus, at the start of Ramadan; Israeli military and police said they responded and are searching for suspects.

Israeli settlers were reported to have vandalized a mosque in the occupied West Bank early Monday, according to the Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Religious Affairs. The incident occurred at the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Mosque in the town of Tell, near Nablus, as Muslim worshippers gathered during the start of Ramadan. Local residents and authorities described damage to the building and said surveillance footage was reviewed. The Israeli military and police said they responded and were searching for suspects. Known details: - Palestinian authorities reported that settlers vandalized the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Mosque in Tell, near Nablus. - Worshippers discovered the damage when they arrived for early prayers at the start of Ramadan. - Local sources said surveillance footage showed two people near the mosque around the time of the incident. - The Israeli military and police said they responded to the scene and are searching for suspects; rights groups have said prosecutions of settlers for similar incidents are often lacking. Summary: The reported attack adds to concerns about a recent rise in settler-related incidents in the West Bank and comes as Muslims mark the holy month of Ramadan. Authorities say an investigation and a search for suspects are under way; next legal or procedural steps are undetermined at this time.