13 homes burnt, dozens damaged in West Bank settlement as crews battle blaze for 2nd day
Over 100 families said to evacuate homes in Havat Gilad, no casualties reported; probe indicates cigarette caused fire, no other materials found at scene, arson not suspected
A wildfire in the Havat Gilad settlement in the northern West Bank, which began on Saturday, continued to burn into Sunday, destroying 13 homes and damaging dozens more. Over 100 families were evacuated, and two firefighters sustained injuries. Investigators believe the fire was caused by an unextinguished cigarette butt, with security forces narrowing in on a suspected Palestinian individual, though the blaze is not considered intentional. Moshe Hachmon, chairman of the settlement's local council, described the situation as a "humanitarian crisis."
"By a great miracle, we had no casualties,"
he stated. Dozens of firefighting crews, supported by aircraft, are working to contain the blaze and prevent further spread. This incident is one of several wildfires affecting Israel and the West Bank over the weekend, including significant fires in Shimshit and near Mount Tabor.
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