Palestinians set fire to Jewish shrine in West Bank
Palestinians have set fire to a Jewish shrine in the West Bank as militant group Hamas called for a "day of rage" against Israel following continued incidents of deadly conflict in the region.
Israel's military said around 100 people rushed the site of Joseph's Tomb in the Palestinian city of Nablus overnight.
The military said the group was pushed back by Palestinian security forces but some succeeded in setting part of the shrine aflame.
"We view this incident with gravity and strongly condemn any attack on holy sites. We will find and arrest those who set the fire," the Israeli military said in a statement.
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, in his clearest call yet to end the renewed violence, condemned the attack and ordered the damaged site be repaired.
A statement from his office confirmed an investigation into the arson had been begun and said the president rejected "these actions and all actions that violate law and order, and which distort our culture, our morals and our religion".
Israel Defense Forces spokesman Peter Lerner earlier tweeted an image of the Jewish holy site on fire.
The recent unrest across Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank is the most serious in years and has claimed the lives of 32 Palestinians and seven Israelis.
Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, called for "rallies of anger and confrontations" on Friday in all West Bank cities following afternoon prayers.
The Palestinian dead include children and protesters shot in violentdemonstrations. The Israelis were killed on the street or buses in random attacks.
The night-time fire at the Joseph's Tomb compound came after a respite from the near-daily attacks on Thursday.