Tensions escalated in Nablus as Israeli forces raided several mosques in the Old City at dawn, setting fire to Al-Nasr Mosque and preventing worshippers from attending morning prayers.
The attack, which led to the arrest of three Palestinians, has drawn widespread condemnation from Palestinian officials and religious leaders.
Eyewitnesses reported that the fire caused severe damage to the mosque, destroying the imam’s quarters and charring its walls and carpets. Al-Nasr Mosque, a significant historical landmark, was originally built as a church during the Roman era before being converted into a mosque in 1187.
Local sources described the raid as intense, with Israeli troops entering several neighborhoods while firing teargas and live ammunition. Residents said homes were violently searched before three individuals were detained.
The Palestinian Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs strongly condemned the attack, accusing Israeli forces of deliberately targeting places of worship. According to a statement, troops not only set the mosque on fire but also blocked municipal firefighters from extinguishing the flames, leading to extensive destruction.
Religious leaders in Nablus, including Endowments Director Nasser Al-Salman, denounced the incident as an unprecedented violation of religious freedom. He stated that such actions had not been seen since the Nakba of 1948 and accused Israel of disregarding international norms that protect the right to worship.
Palestinian officials have called for urgent international intervention, urging human rights organizations to take action against what they describe as ongoing attacks on religious heritage sites. The destruction of Al-Nasr Mosque adds to the growing tensions in the region, as clashes continue to erupt between Israeli forces and Palestinian communities.