Full Breakdown
Mosque Arson in Qusra Tied to Recent Killing
7/26/2026, 11:04:39 AM
Core Event
On Saturday night, a mosque in the West Bank village of Qusra (also reported as Kusra) was set on fire and its entrance wall spray-painted with the words “Revenge for Benayahu” alongside a Star of David. Hebrew graffiti reading “Jewish blood is not free” was also reported at a second mosque in the nearby village of Kur. No injuries were reported at the Qusra site, though two Palestinians were reportedly beaten and taken to a hospital. Israeli forces said they arrived after the arsonists had fled and began a joint IDF-Police investigation.
Background: Friday Attack on Havat Gilad Settlement
The vandalism follows a shooting on Friday in the Palestinian village of Tell that killed Benayahu Mellet, a civilian security squad member from the Havat Gilad settlement, and Maj. Yuval Ezra, a 27-year-old artillery battery commander from Herzliya. The attack prompted a broader Israeli security sweep that included dozens of Palestinian arrests throughout the West Bank.
Official Responses from Israeli Forces
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that troops scanned the area for suspects but found none, noting that the arsonists had fled before their arrival. Israel Police officers, escorted by the IDF, are scheduled to enter Qusra to collect testimony, findings and evidence. [established fact]
Criticism from Israeli Politician
Member of Knesset Ahmad Tibi condemned the attack on X/Twitter, calling it “Jewish terrorism” and likening it to a hypothetical arson of a synagogue by a Palestinian or French individual. [attributed claim]
Verbatim Quotes
- “Imagine the reaction if a Palestinian, or even a Frenchman, had set fire to a synagogue,” — MK Ahmad Tibi — MK Ahmad Tibi, Member of Knesset
