Kathmandu— Israeli forces have fired tear gas canisters into a mosque in Madama near Nablus, leaving worshippers struggling to breathe during evening prayers. This attack follows an earlier incident where Israeli settlers attempted to set fire to another mosque in Bazariya. The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Affairs has strongly condemned these actions as flagrant violations of the sanctity of places of worship.

Tear Gas Attack on Madama Mosque

Footage verified by Al Jazeera showed worshippers coughing and struggling to breathe after Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters into a mosque in Madama. An elderly man was seen bent over, with another person trying to help him. The ministry reported that several elderly worshippers suffered from suffocation due to the attack.

Settlers Attempt Fire at Bazariya Mosque

In a separate incident earlier in the day, Israeli settlers attempted to set fire to another mosque in Bazariya. Photos and videos showed blackened burn marks around a window of a room and Hebrew phrases sprayed on the exterior walls. Majed Nasr, who lives near the mosque, said that there was a small explosion causing a fire inside the building, which was contained before it could spread further.

Condemnation and Warnings

The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Affairs condemned these attacks as criminal acts. The office of President Mahmoud Abbas warned of the dangers of escalating religious conflict in the region, stating that such systematic attacks risk triggering a serious religious conflict with severe consequences for both the region and the world.

Rising Tensions

The United Nations reported that at least 76 Palestinians have been killed this year in the occupied West Bank due to settler violence, demolitions, and evictions. Settlers also burned vehicles in Beta and set fire to a Palestinian vehicle in Nahalin on Tuesday.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.