Large Brush Fire Erupts Near South Hebron Settlement, Firefighters and Police Respond

A significant brush fire broke out on August 4, 2026, near the settlement of Afka in southern Hebron. Initial reports from emergency teams described a wide fire line in the brush adjacent to the settlement, spreading toward residential homes driven by strong winds. Firefighting efforts are ongoing, involving firefighters from the Israel Fire and Rescue Services in Judea and Samaria, police officers from the Hebron station, and local community forces. Police have blocked roads and secured the area to facilitate firefighting operations, which include the deployment of fire trucks and aerial firefighting planes from the Elad squadron.

A situation briefing was recently held at the scene by Chief Superintendent Eliyahu Zaiton, commander of the Judea district police, alongside Deputy Fire Chief Tamir Erez, a Magen David Adom representative, and the local security officer. The briefing reviewed the actions taken so far and emphasized the urgent need to contain the fire before it spreads further. Chief Superintendent Zaiton praised the rapid response of all emergency services and ordered continued concentrated efforts to extinguish the fire quickly and safely, aiming to allow residents to return to their homes as soon as possible.

Fire shift commander Liran Ben Harosh highlighted the fire's proximity to the settlement homes and confirmed the deployment of firefighting planes and additional crews to the scene. The coordinated response reflects the critical nature of the fire and the priority to prevent damage to the community in southern Hebron.