Fire Destroys 24 Homes in West Bank's Gilead Farm, Caused by Discarded Cigarette

Firefighters from the Israel Fire and Rescue Services continue battling a large fire that broke out Sunday afternoon at Gilead Farm in the West Bank's Samaria region. The blaze damaged 24 homes, completely destroying 13, and injured two firefighters with moderate and minor wounds. A joint investigation by fire investigators, the Judea and Samaria police district, and the IDF determined the fire started from a single ignition point caused by a discarded cigarette near the road.

The fire began near the Mitzpe Yishai neighborhood in Kedumim and rapidly spread to Gilead Farm due to strong winds, quickly reaching the first line of homes. Firefighting efforts involved 41 teams, including cross-district support, ten firefighting planes from the Elad Squadron, an Israeli police aerial unit helicopter with the special rescue unit Lahav, engineering machinery, IDF water tankers, and police forces from the Samaria district.

Commander Ziv Shenkor of the Judea and Samaria Fire District described the fire as "significant and fast-moving with an unusual fire rate," prompting a large-scale response including aerial support. Fire and rescue teams, alongside the IDF, police, and the Samaria Regional Council, worked to control the fire, safely evacuate residents, and investigate the cause. Firefighters pledged to continue operations wherever needed with determination and strength.

In parallel, firefighting teams also tackled a forest fire near Shemsheet in the Jezreel Valley, deploying 12 firefighting planes and ground crews. Initial evacuations near the first line of homes were later lifted, with residents advised to shelter indoors due to heavy smoke.

Additionally, a fire broke out near Be'er Ya'akov on Sunday morning, causing temporary suspension and delays in train services between Lod, Rehovot, Ashkelon, and Rishon Lezion. Train Israel reported that service gradually returned to normal within an hour.