Israeli Forces Arrest Two Palestinians Suspected of Arson in West Bank Settlement Fire

Israeli Border Police and IDF forces arrested two Palestinian suspects overnight between Sunday and Monday on suspicion of deliberately setting the massive fire that devastated the West Bank settlement of Gilead last Saturday. The joint operation involved Border Police special forces from Judea and Samaria, IDF soldiers from the Shomron Brigade, and investigative units from the Israel Police Central Unit under the guidance of the Judea and Samaria district command.

The fire, which broke out midday Saturday, destroyed 24 homes, 13 of them completely, as well as a large wood warehouse, causing damage estimated in the tens of millions of shekels. Among the hardest hit were the Cohen brothers, owners of the "Tzameret" wood warehouse, which was destroyed with losses around 10 million shekels, and the home of Yael Shevah, widow of Rabbi Raziel Shevah, which also burned down entirely.

Initially, a special investigative team from the Fire and Rescue Services, Israel Police, and IDF concluded the fire started from a discarded cigarette. However, the recent arrests suggest possible intentional involvement by the suspects. The detainees have been transferred to the Judea and Samaria district police for further questioning, with decisions pending on extending their detention.

During the original fire, 41 firefighting teams, ten firefighting aircraft from the Elad squadron, and a police air unit helicopter responded. Security forces evacuated all residents promptly, and miraculously, no casualties were reported. Authorities emphasized their commitment to continue pursuing all those responsible for endangering public safety and property.