Israeli authorities arrest Palestinian suspects in fire that devastated Samaria settlement

Two Palestinian men were arrested in connection with the fires that damaged dozens of homes in the community of Havat Gilad in Samaria over the weekend, the Israel Police announced on Monday.

The two suspects were arrested and brought to the Judea and Samaria District Court on Sunday for further investigation and questioning over their suspected involvement in the fires. 

“Decisions regarding further legal proceedings, including whether to request an extension of their detention, will be made in accordance with the findings of the investigation,” the police said in a statement. 

“The security forces will continue to act decisively to locate and bring to justice anyone involved in harming public security or property,” the statement added. 

The fire, which broke out Saturday morning, was initially believed to have been started by a discarded cigarette thrown from a passing vehicle. The point where the fire initially broke out was reportedly captured by IDF and Shin Bet security road cameras, with the footage showing the development of the fire.

However, similar types of fires were found to have been started by arson in previous years, often for terrorist purposes. 

According to Army Radio, the arrested suspects were the drivers of the vehicle from which the cigarette was thrown. The police clarified that the suspects are currently suspected of causing the fire inadvertently and there is still no substantiated suspicion that it was intentional arson, though this will be examined during the investigation.

Dozens of fire crews, including firefighting planes, battled the blaze for many hours before finally gaining control of the fire on Sunday. 

From the outset, some members of the community suspected arson, with Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan saying, “There is a very reasonable suspicion that it was arson; I call on the security forces to get their hands on those responsible.” 

As with most countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, Israel receives virtually no rainfall during the hot, dry summer months. The long dry season, combined with hot and windy conditions, creates an environment ripe for fires, whether caused by negligence or arson.

I want to show you a terror attack the global media won’t show you.

This is the terrorist arson attack on the Jewish community of Havat Gilad in Samaria last Saturday. 24 homes were damaged, 13 of them burned to the ground. Residents suffering from smoke inhalation were… pic.twitter.com/H3C8hud4ab

— נועה מגיד | Noa magid (@NoaMagid) July 20, 2026

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir congratulated police “for the swift and professional action that led to the arrest of the suspects in the arson of the fire at Gilad Farm.” 

“Anyone who sets fire, harms residents and tries to intimidate them should know that the security forces will pursue him, come to him and bring him to justice,” Ben Gvir added. “This is the policy, and we will continue to act decisively against anyone who seeks to harm the security of the citizens of Israel.” 

ALL ISRAEL NEWS correspondent Oriel Moran, who visited the scene of the fires, described her surprise at the high spirits of the residents, many of whom had just lost their homes in the blaze

“When I arrived at Gilad Farm, I could feel the ashes in my lungs and the smell of burning ground in the air,” Moran said, describing her first impression at the scene.

She was shocked to find that despite losing everything, the residents were grateful to have safely escaped the fires with their families. 

“Expecting to see sad and gloomy residents, I was taken by surprise when they expressed that although they had lost everything but their families and friends – their spirits were high. Not one acted as a victim but only praised God, understanding that they will rebuild and serve him with joy. Leaving, I left inspired by their unity and resilience in the face of hardship.”