Incident draws condemnation as military operations and restrictions continue in Tulkarm
Israeli forces reportedly raised the Israeli flag on the minaret of Abu Ubaida Mosque in the Nour Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarm in the occupied West Bank, on Sunday.
The incident was reported by the Palestinian news agency WAFA, which said the flag was raised while Israeli military operations in the camp were continuing.
Palestinian religious authorities condemn incident
The Tulkarm Directorate of Religious Affairs and Awqaf condemned the raising of the flag, describing it as an attack on the sanctity of the mosque and a violation of the religious status of a place of worship.
The incident has also drawn attention because access to large parts of the camp remains heavily restricted, making it difficult for residents and officials to assess damage.
Condition of nine mosques remains unclear
According to the Tulkarm religious authorities, the condition of nine mosques in the Tulkarm and Nour Shams refugee camps remains unknown because of the restrictions on access.
The authorities also said hundreds of residents remain unable to reach their homes and check their condition.
Military operations continue
Nour Shams has been the focus of prolonged Israeli military operations, with Palestinian sources reporting demolitions, damage to infrastructure and restrictions on residents’ movement.
The latest incident comes amid continuing arrests and military activity across the northern West Bank, including the Tulkarm governorate. WAFA reported that five Palestinians were detained in the governorate on Sunday.
Why the incident is significant
Mosques and other places of worship have special protection under international humanitarian law. Any alleged interference with a place of worship is therefore likely to draw significant concern, particularly during an ongoing military operation.
The raising of the flag over the mosque has been condemned by Palestinian religious authorities, who called for the sanctity of places of worship to be respected.
The Israeli military has not been cited in the reports reviewed here as providing an explanation for the specific incident.
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