RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned an arson attack on a mosque by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.

The Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry said the attack on Thursday was part of “continued violations” by the Israeli authorities and extremist settlers against the Palestinian people.

The ministry also condemned the recent storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque’s courtyards by extremist settlers.

“The continuation of these attacks without deterrence contributes to undermining international and regional efforts to achieve peace and leads to escalating tensions and the perpetuation of the conflict,” the statement on Friday said.

It added that “international silence” around the attacks and the absence of accountability mechanisms weakens the foundations of the international order and undermines the principles of international law.

The Palestinian foreign ministry said Israeli settlers set fire to the Hajja Hamida mosque, near the town of Deir Istiya.

Israel’s military also said it killed two Palestinians described as “suspected militants” the same day.

On Wednesday, dozens of settlers stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, one of Islam’s holiest sites. 

Incursions at the mosque have become increasingly common during the war on Gaza.