Israeli Police Disprove Palestinian Arson Claim Near Hebron as Fabrication

A thorough investigation by the Judea and Samaria police district has debunked Palestinian claims that Israeli citizens set fire to a home near Hebron. The incident began last Thursday when police were called to a village near Beit Ummar following a fire in a residential building. The Palestinian family alleged that Israelis threw a Molotov cocktail into the house while they were inside.

However, a professional fire investigator from the Fire and Rescue Services, alongside police forensic experts, determined the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit within the home. Physical evidence at the scene showed no traces of accelerants or signs of deliberate arson. During initial questioning at the Hebron police station, the mother (53) and her son (14) gave contradictory statements. The investigation shifted to a warning interrogation, and the minor later retracted his claim, admitting he saw no Israelis near the property. His detention was extended by a court for an additional day.

The mother initially maintained her original version over the weekend and was brought before a judge who extended her detention. An appeal filed by her lawyer was rejected. In a subsequent interrogation, the mother recanted her previous allegations, describing a different sequence of events. She said she fell asleep beside her daughter while her son slept in the living room. After waking due to a power outage, she dreamed of two Israelis breaking her window and throwing a bottle inside. Upon waking in panic, she saw flames and evacuated her children.

When asked why she accused Israelis, she admitted, "My family was attacked violently by Israelis, so I fabricated the story against them." Additional testimonies and scene analysis confirmed the fire was electrical in origin and excluded any Israeli presence near the home. The police have charged the woman with false reporting and incitement, as her false claims were spread to international media outlets.