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Israeli settlers torch mosque as Israel 'increases cooperation with Palestinian Authority'
Israeli settlers torched a mosque in the occupied West Bank on Thursday night and left threatening graffiti on its walls, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.
Locals managed to control the blaze which took place in the village of Madra, Wafa said.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs X account the attack and shared images of its aftermath, revealing damage to the entrance to the mosque from the fire.
Some of the graffiti, written in Hebrew, read "revenge", according to Haaretz, and the Star of David symbols sprayed onto the walls
Settlers left graffiti quoting a biblical verse saying: "The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked."
Haaretz reported that the Israeli police and Shin Bet were investigating the incident.
The attack on the mosque came amid fighting between the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian fighters around the northern West Bank city of Jenin. PA security forces stormed the city on 14 December.
Amid the confrontation, the Israeli security cabinet has reportedly ordered an increase in security coordination with the PA security forces, according to Haaretz.
Defensive weaponry transfers to the PA were also approved, including protective gear and equipment to disable explosive devices, the report added.
Ramallah did not comment on the claims, but relations between Israel and the PA have been extremely tense since the outbreak of the 2023 Gaza war and the actions and comments from far-right Israeli ministers.