Security Forces Arrest Two Palestinians in Connection With Fire Near Havat Gilad

After several days of investigation, security forces overnight (Monday) arrested two Palestinian suspects on suspicion of involvement in causing the fire that broke out on Shabbat in the Havat Gilad area, causing extensive damage to dozens of buildings and vehicles. The arrests were carried out in a joint operation involving the central unit of the Judea and Samaria District, the district’s ROEH command center, the Border Police undercover unit in Judea and Samaria, and soldiers from the IDF’s Shomron Brigade. 

Police reissued their announcement about the arrest of the two suspects after changing the wording of the allegations. Instead of “suspected involvement in setting the fire,” the statement said the two were suspected of “involvement in causing the fire.”

The two suspects were arrested as part of an intelligence and operational activity carried out overnight. After their arrest, they were transferred for questioning by the Judea and Samaria District central investigations unit, and according to the findings of the investigation, a decision will be made on how to proceed in their case, including the possibility of bringing them to a hearing to extend their detention.

The Havat Gilad community committee welcomed the development in the investigation and the arrest of the suspects: “The community committee thanks the security forces and the police for the swift action that led to the arrest. We demand that law enforcement authorities see this investigation through to the end, act decisively, and impose the most severe penalties available under the law on those responsible for this criminal act. This is terror, and this incident should be treated as terror.”

The fire itself broke out on Shabbat near the community of Kedumim, and from there spread quickly into the nearby wadi and climbed toward Havat Gilad. Strong winds and summer weather conditions made the initial firefighting efforts especially difficult, and the flames spread rapidly toward homes in the community and industrial buildings.

As a result of the blaze, dozens of homes and businesses were completely destroyed, and extensive damage was caused, estimated at millions of shekels. Only after the fire was brought under control, at first light, did the full scale of the destruction in the community become clear.

Among those affected were Yehuda and Vivio Cohen, who described the devastating blow to their property: “We suffered damages of 10 million shekels. We launched a crowdfunding campaign, and we are מאוד moved by the massive outpouring of support.” Despite the scale of the destruction, the two expressed optimism and added: “We will rebuild everything.”