New Evidence Points to Cigarette Butt as Cause of Massive Fire Near Havat Gilad

The investigation into the massive fire that caused extensive damage yesterday (*Shabbat*) near Havat Gilad is, at this stage, focused on the suspicion that a cigarette butt thrown from a passing vehicle ignited the blaze. Police are reviewing footage from security cameras operated by the IDF and the Shin Bet, which captured the initial ignition point and the vehicles traveling on Route 55 at the time the fire broke out. The assessment is that the material collected may make it possible to identify the person who threw the cigarette.

According to a report on Army Radio, police investigators found a cigarette butt at the origin point of the fire, and tests conducted at the scene did not uncover any additional materials that could have been used to start it. Although the moment the cigarette was actually thrown was not captured on camera, security officials believe the existing footage could help locate the vehicle that was there when the fire began.

According to current assessments, the vehicle was most likely Palestinian, in part because at the time of the incident, which took place on *Shabbat*, Israeli vehicle traffic on the road was relatively sparse. Security officials were quoted as saying they believe they will be able to identify the person who threw the cigarette.

At the same time, as the investigation progresses, it has emerged that the Shin Bet, which was involved in the early stages of examining the circumstances of the incident, has completed its part and transferred the entire case to the Israel Police.

That decision was made after the initial assessment indicated that this was not an intentional arson attack motivated by nationalist reasons. At the same time, security officials clarified that this possibility has not yet been completely ruled out, and the investigation is ongoing.

While investigators work to trace exactly how the fire started, firefighters from the Judea and Samaria District are continuing operations at the scene. According to Fire and Rescue Service data, 24 homes were damaged in the incident, including 13 that were completely destroyed, and a wood storage facility also went up in flames.

Fire and Rescue officials said the fire began near the Mitzpe Yishai neighborhood in Kedumim, and from there spread rapidly toward Havat Gilad because of the strong winds in the area.

A total of 41 firefighting teams, 10 firefighting aircraft, a helicopter from the Israel Police, IDF forces, engineering equipment, and water tankers were mobilized to battle the flames. They operated for hours in an effort to stop the fire from spreading and protect the community’s homes. The commander of the Judea and Samaria District in Fire and Rescue, Chief Superintendent Tzion Shenkor, said the forces will continue operating at the scene until the response to the incident is complete.