Israeli officials say a blaze last month at a West Bank mosque most likely resulted from an electrical problem, not from an arson attack by Jewish settlers.
The Nov. 12 fire destroyed the first floor of the mosque in the village of Mughayer. Residents, including the village's mayor Faraj al-Naasan accused Jewish settlers of setting the blaze.
Israeli Fire Services spokesman Asaf Abras said Dec. 15 that fire investigators, working with Israeli police and the Shin Bet security service, believe the fire was an accident.
Abras said investigators found no combustible materials or graffiti at the site. Such items would point to settler vandalism.
But Mayor al-Naasan, disputed the Israeli findings. He said residents have "strong reason" to believe it was a settler attack because they have carried out other violence in the past in the area.