Gaza, PNA: 'Two teenagers killed by Israel in the West Bank'. Settlers set fire to a mosque
Hostage returned by Hamas identified, he is Meny Godard
The Palestinian National Authority denounced the killing of two teenagers in the West Bank by the Israeli army.
Meanwhile, Israel received, via the Red Cross, the coffin with the body of a hostage, identified as Meny Godard, 73, killed in Be'eri on 7 October 2023. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced that "after completing the identification process by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, in cooperation with the Israeli Police and the Military Rabbinate, representatives of the IDF informed the hostage's family". Godard had been killed on 7 October and then taken to Gaza. His wife, Ayelet, was also killed during the attack on their home.
Israeli settlers set fire overnight to a mosque in the Palestinian village of Kifl Hares, near Ariel in the West Bank, leaving writing on the walls with threats to the head of the IDF Central Command, Avi Blot. This was reported by the Israeli media. Images show severe damage to the building and burnt copies of the Koran. The episode is part of a trail of violence in recent weeks that has seen an increase in attacks on Palestinians, burning vehicles and villages such as Beit Lid and Deir Sharaf. According to the Israeli media, the army and police have opened an investigation with the involvement of the Shin Bet.
Yesterday, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir "strongly condemned" the recent Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians, calling them the work of "a criminal minority". "These are acts that contradict our values. They cross a red line and divert the attention of our forces from fulfilling their mission, defending communities and conducting offensive operations. We are determined to put an end to this and will act sternly until justice is done," he said while visiting the West Bank during a large military exercise.
Also yesterday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that 'there is some concern' that events in the West Bank could undermine efforts to maintain the ceasefire in Gaza, in his first statements on the latest wave of settler violence.
