Massive Fire in West Bank Destroys 13 Homes at Gilead Farm

On Saturday, multiple fires broke out across the West Bank and northern Israel, with the main blaze centered at Gilead Farm in the West Bank. The fire spread rapidly due to strong winds, engulfing 13 homes, a garage, and a wood storage facility within the settlement. Two firefighters were injured, one moderately and one lightly, and a resident was evacuated with minor injuries. Firefighters initially contained the flames near the first row of houses, but the wind pushed the fire into the settlement.

At the peak of the operation, 45 firefighting and rescue teams, eight firefighting planes from the Elad Squadron, and a reconnaissance helicopter were deployed. A bulletproof fire truck was severely damaged by heat radiation, and another fire engine was completely destroyed. The IDF's Shomron Brigade assisted by evacuating residents, providing first aid, and supplying water tankers. Police blocked Highway 55 and junctions at Jit, Kedumim, and Yitzhar to facilitate emergency response.

The Fire and Rescue Services established a joint investigation team with police and security agencies to examine suspicions of arson in the West Bank. Concurrently, firefighting efforts were underway in northern Israel, including near Shamsheet in the Jezreel Valley, Kfar Vradim, and Mount Tabor, where fires were contained or extinguished. Northern District Commander Yair Elkaim announced that all fires in the district were under control by late afternoon, though teams remained on high alert for flare-ups, especially in the West Bank area.