Israeli settlers have reportedly set fire to a mosque, a vehicle and an olive tree in a Palestinian village in the occupied West Bank, in an attack that has renewed concerns about violence against Palestinian communities and religious sites.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, October 14, 2026, when a group of settlers raided Mikhmas, also spelt Mukhmas, northeast of occupied Jerusalem.

According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, the Jerusalem Governorate reported that dozens of settlers entered the village shortly after midnight and set fire to a mosque and a nearby olive tree. A vehicle was also completely burned during the attack.

Reports from the scene showed damage to the mosque’s entrance. No injuries were reported in the initial accounts of the incident.

Reports also indicated that nationalist and racist slogans were spray-painted on the mosque and other buildings in the village. The extent of the damage and whether anyone had been arrested in connection with the attack were not immediately clear.

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The attack adds to continuing concerns over Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank, where Palestinian residents have reported assaults, intimidation, property destruction and attacks on farmland.

The incident is particularly sensitive because it involved a Muslim place of worship. Religious sites and civilian property are protected under international humanitarian law, and deliberate attacks against them raise serious legal concerns.

The latest incident also comes amid the annual olive harvest, an important source of income for many Palestinian farming families. The Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission said on Monday that it had documented 136 attacks linked to the olive harvest since the beginning of October. The reported incidents included beatings, intimidation, gunfire, theft of olives and farming equipment, and damage to trees.

The burning of the mosque in Mikhmas follows other reported arson attacks on mosques in the West Bank in recent months. In July, two mosques in the Palestinian villages of Qusra and Kour were set on fire following deadly clashes in the territory.

Reuters reported at the time that the Israeli military had confirmed evidence of arson and graffiti at the affected mosque sites and condemned attacks on religious places. The incidents prompted renewed calls for measures to prevent further attacks and hold those responsible accountable.

The wider situation in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory remains tense, with attacks by settlers and Israeli military operations contributing to insecurity for residents. Palestinian officials have repeatedly called for stronger protection of communities and accountability for attacks on civilians and their property.

The circumstances surrounding Wednesday’s mosque attack remain under investigation, and it was not immediately clear whether Israeli authorities had announced arrests or opened a formal inquiry.

The incident has once again highlighted concerns over the safety of Palestinian religious sites, homes and agricultural land, as calls grow for effective action against violence in the occupied West Bank.

Students across France are preparing for fresh nationwide demonstrations on Tuesday, October 13, as growing frustration over poor school conditions, teacher shortages and inadequate education resources continues to fuel unrest.

The planned protests come after weeks of demonstrations, school blockades and confrontations with police, putting further pressure on President Emmanuel Macron’s government to address concerns over the country’s education system.

The movement, which began in September, has spread from individual high schools to cities across the country, attracting university students, education workers and trade unions in support of demands for improved learning conditions.

Student organisers have urged more young people, parents and workers to participate in the latest demonstrations, insisting that previous government assurances have not adequately addressed their concerns.

The protests have focused on underfunded schools, overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, deteriorating school buildings and unequal access to educational opportunities.

Students have also criticised the government’s handling of their demands, arguing that announcements of future improvements must be accompanied by concrete measures.

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The demonstrations have continued despite a government commitment to deploy 3,000 additional teachers to schools experiencing severe staffing shortages.

Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced the emergency recruitment and deployment plan last week, saying the additional teachers would be assigned to high-priority schools.

The government’s response followed discussions with student representatives, but protest leaders have maintained that the proposed measures do not go far enough to resolve the broader problems affecting schools.

The unrest intensified on October 8, when tens of thousands of people took to the streets across France. The Interior Ministry reported that approximately 71,500 people participated in demonstrations nationwide, including about 24,500 in Paris.

The protests were accompanied by clashes in several locations, with police using tear gas to disperse some gatherings. Authorities also reported arrests and injuries among demonstrators and security personnel.

On October 9, France’s Education Ministry said 141 high schools remained closed, either fully or partially, as a result of the movement.

The demonstrations have also drawn international attention. The United Nations human rights office expressed concern over incidents of violence linked to the protests and school blockades, calling attention to the need to protect the rights and safety of those involved.

Meanwhile, the French government has faced criticism over its handling of the unrest, including allegations of excessive force by security personnel. Authorities have defended the need to maintain public order while acknowledging the importance of addressing students’ concerns.

The crisis comes as France debates its public spending priorities and seeks to reduce its budget deficit. The government must balance calls for greater investment in education against pressure to control public debt.

The protests have therefore become part of a wider debate about public services, inequality and the opportunities available to young people.

With students preparing to return to the streets on Tuesday, the government faces renewed pressure to demonstrate that its promises will translate into meaningful improvements in classrooms across the country.

Student organisers have indicated that demonstrations could continue if their demands remain unresolved, leaving the authorities with the challenge of restoring normal school activities while addressing the concerns driving the movement.