Israel Police arrested eight suspected arsonists in the southern Hebron Hills on Monday night, the police confirmed on Tuesday.
In one alleged incident, the suspected arsonists are linked to vandalizing a mosque in Bazariya, northwest of Nablus, including setting fire to the structure and spraying anti-Muslim graffiti slogans in Hebrew on the structure's walls.
However, another slogan that appeared to be sprayed on the walls of the mosques denounced US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, reading "Huckabee, greetings from the 'terrorists,'" after the ambassador publicly denounced extremist settler violence in the West Bank, particularly Kusra, as "terrorism."
The slogans also appear to directly name and threaten journalists from Israel's public broadcaster, KAN News, who reported on the extremist settler violence throughout the summer.
KAN released a statement denouncing the threats of violence targeting their journalists by name, including military and security correspondent and analyst Roy Sharon.
"We strongly condemn the threats that were spray-painted in the last few hours on the wall of a mosque in Samaria, against KAN News correspondent Roy Sharon," the public broadcaster said.
"The attempt to intimidate a journalist because of his work will not succeed and will not deter Roy or the KAN News newsroom from continuing to provide reliable and professional reporting even on disturbances in Judea and Samaria," KAN added.
We expect the law enforcement authorities to act swiftly and decisively to locate those responsible and bring them to justice. Our journalistic work will continue without fear," KAN stated.
Police officers also seized three vehicles believed to have been used by the suspects during their alleged arson and assault incidents.
All eight suspects are residents of the West Bank, aged between 16 and 20 years old, police noted.
Israel Police, IDF, Tag Meir denounce alleged extremist settler vandalism of West Bank mosque
Police condemned the "cases of violence, damage to property and religious symbols," and stated that additional arrests are expected.
The IDF also condemned the incident, saying that "attacks on religious institutions harm the residents of the region and security stability, and divert the attention of the security forces from counter-terrorism and defense activities."
"This mosque is 'only' the 11th mosque to be set on fire since mid-June, but the Israeli government continues to sell us the illusion that it is a 'handful of criminals.' It is clear that hundreds of terrorists, rabbis, ministers, and MKs like [Religious Zionist Party MK] Zvi Sukkot are just another completely accidental 'handful,'" Tag Meir stated in a condemnation of the suspected arsonists.
Tag Meir describes itself as an organization that "resolves to connect different groups in Israeli society in the battle to eradicate racism and violence in Israel," particularly aiming to denounce "price tag" attacks on West Bank Arabs by extremist settlers.
Israel Police requested an extension of their detention, and the investigation is ongoing.