Israeli Police Classify Gilad Farm Fire as Hostile Act, Residents to Receive Compensation

The Israeli police in the Judea and Samaria district have officially recognized the severe fire at Gilad Farm as an incident likely caused by hostile actions. This classification means that the affected residents will be eligible for compensation for their significant property damage and will be formally recognized as victims of hostile acts. Yossi Dagan, head of the Shomron Regional Council, informed the residents on Monday that after joint investigations by the police, fire and rescue services, and local authorities, there is reasonable basis to assume the fire was deliberately set.

Initial investigations by a special team from the fire and rescue services, police, and the IDF suggested the fire started from a cigarette butt discarded by the roadside. However, arrests made overnight of two Palestinian suspects have raised suspicions of intentional involvement in causing the fire. The arrests were carried out in a coordinated operation involving Border Police undercover units, IDF soldiers from the Shomron Brigade, and police investigative units, under the guidance of the Judea and Samaria district command.

The two suspects are currently under investigation by the district's criminal investigation unit, with decisions pending regarding their detention extensions. Security forces have pledged to continue their efforts to identify and prosecute anyone involved in harming public safety and property.

The fire broke out on Saturday afternoon in Gilad Farm, located in the West Bank's Shomron region, causing extensive destruction. Official reports state that 24 homes were damaged, with 13 completely destroyed. A large wood warehouse also burned down entirely, with total damages estimated at tens of millions of shekels. Among the hardest hit were brothers Yehuda and Yehoyada Cohen, partners and managers of "Tzameret," the largest wood warehouse in Shomron, which was destroyed with losses around 10 million shekels. Additionally, the home of Yael Shevach, widow of the late Rabbi Raziel Shevach, was completely burned down.