Border Police undercover officers and IDF troops arrested two Palestinians suspected of involvement in the massive fire that devastated Havat Gilad this past Shabbos.

Thirteen homes were completely destroyed, and 24 were damaged in the fire that broke out on Shabbos afternoon, including the home of Yael Shevach, the almanah of Rabbi Raziel Shevach, H’yd, who was murdered in a terrorist attack near the yishuv in 2018. A large lumber warehouse also caught fire and was totally destroyed, with total damages estimated in the tens of millions of shekels.

The arrests were carried out in a joint overnight operation. The suspects were transferred to the Judea and Shomron District Central Unit for further questioning.

In the initial stage of the investigation, a special team from Fire and Rescue, Israel Police, and the IDF determined that the fire originated from a cigarette butt discarded on the roadside. However, the arrests carried out overnight raise suspicion of deliberate involvement by the suspects in causing the fire.

The Havat Gilad yishuv committee welcomed the arrests. “Just days after the severe disaster that destroyed dozens of family homes on the yishuv and left many families without a roof over their heads, we have been informed of the arrest of two suspects in the act.

“We thank the security forces and the police for the swift operation that led to the arrests. We demand that law enforcement authorities pursue the investigation to its fullest extent, act with determination, and impose the most severe penalties provided by law on those responsible for this criminal act. This was an act of terrorism, and it must be treated accordingly.”

“The residents of Havat Gilad are now fully focused on rehabilitation efforts, rebuilding, and supporting the families who lost their homes. We want to thank Am Yisrael for their tremendous support during this difficult time.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)