Hamas condemns arson attack on mosque in West Bank by Israeli settlers

Tehran (ANTARA) - Palestinian militant group Hamas has condemned Israeli settlers for burning a mosque in the occupied West Bank, calling the arson attack a “fascist and organised crime”.

Hamas issued the statement in response to the actions of Israeli settlers who burned down the Abu Bakr as-Siddiq Mosque, located between the towns of Sarra and Tal near Nablus in the northern West Bank.

According to Hamas, the settlers also defaced the walls of the mosque with racist slogans.

“The actions carried out on Monday (23/2) by Zionist settlers are a fascist and organised crime, as well as a blatant attack on places of worship and holy sites of Islam. This is a clear violation of all international laws and norms that guarantee the protection of places of worship and holy sites,” Hamas said in a statement.

Hamas called on the Palestinian people to act to protect mosques and other religious sites in the face of attacks by Zionist settlers and to resist this aggression.

The group also called on the United Nations (UN) and all human rights organisations to condemn “this evil fascist behaviour” and demand that the perpetrators be held accountable.

In addition, Hamas called for Israeli officials to be held accountable for supporting such brutal crimes against the Palestinian people and the holy sites of Islam and Christianity.

Source: IRNA-OANA