Reports on Thursday night indicate that Joseph’s Tomb, or the Tomb of Joseph, was set on fire by Palestinians in Nablus, Israel.
According to Sakir Khader, a reporter with Dutch daily newspaper de Volkskrant Focus, Palestinians set fire to the tomb. He added that the situation “will escalate because of this.”
The BBC and other media outlets later confirmed the tomb was set on fire.
Joseph’s Tomb is a funerary monument that is the resting-place of the Biblical patriarch Joseph, along with his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh.
HAPPENING NOW: Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus set ablaze as serious riots continue, massive IDF presence in the area. pic.twitter.com/fsgAu5UPMx
— Israel News Feed (@IsraelHatzolah) October 16, 2015
Reports on Twitter indicated that clashes between Palestinian rioters and police were going on near the tomb.
Israeli soldiers arrived on the scene and surrounded the compound. Palestinian rioters then started throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at the soldiers.
A few users posted images and video of the tomb apparently on fire.
‘Tomb of Joseph’ east of Nablus was set on fire. pic.twitter.com/C5KfM11eO1
— Abbs Winston (@AbbsWinston) October 15, 2015
The tomb was set on fire during the second intifada that lasted from 2000 to 2005.
BREAKING: Palestinians set fire to Jospeh’s tomb in #Nablus. Last time was during the second intifada. pic.twitter.com/QytAvGG1Oq
— Chaskel Bennett (@ChaskelBennett) October 16, 2015
Truly sad MT @idfelite: BRKNG PHOTOS: #Palestinian rioters set fire 2 #Joseph‘s #Tomb in Nablus, a #Jewish holy site. pic.twitter.com/HsgtHnkaan
— selmo (@bobpulga) October 15, 2015
About three weeks ago, there were clashes near Joseph’s Tomb, with Palestinians throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at Israeli forces.
