Three Suspects Arrested in Connection to Jerusalem Fires

As Israelis marked the nation’s 77th Independence Day, fires erupted across the Jerusalem area disrupting celebrations and igniting concern of a new form of terrorism. Within hours, Israeli police arrested three suspects in connection to the blazes, which scorched fields, forced evacuations, and led to the cancellation of the national torch-lighting ceremony.

The fires broke out amid soaring temperatures and fierce winds, rapidly spreading through brush and prompting road closures across several regions. Dozens of blazes were reported, not only near Jerusalem, but also in the Hadera region and along Israel’s Coastal Plain.

Though initial details on the suspects remain undisclosed, Hebrew media reports confirmed the involvement of the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), suggesting strong suspicions that these were not accidental wildfires, but deliberate arson attacks—possibly coordinated as acts of terror.

Fueling this suspicion is a disturbing pattern on social media. Arabic-language posts encouraged followers to “ignite the land under the settlers’ feet,” accompanied by incendiary imagery of masked figures setting hills ablaze. Open source intelligence analysts quickly flagged these posts as calls for terrorism by fire.

Channel 14 reporter Halel Bitton, covering the fires, noted the unusually high number of simultaneous outbreaks, indicating strategic planning. “These are not random acts,” one senior police source was quoted as saying.

In response, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir issued a harsh condemnation. “These arsonists should be treated as arch-terrorists. They tried to murder thousands of civilians. The death penalty for terrorists must be considered in such cases,” he said. Ben-Gvir emphasized that investigations are ongoing, and that Israel’s incitement monitoring unit is pursuing those who spread calls for more attacks online.

While no fatalities were reported, the fires inflicted significant psychological and economic damage especially given their timing. They disrupted what was meant to be a moment of national unity and celebration, echoing the events of October 7 when ordinary Israeli civilians were also deliberately targeted.

In the Knesset, MK Zvi Sukkot called on Prime Minister Netanyahu to impose immediate curfews on Arab towns. “There is a real concern, based on past experience, that Palestinians will attempt to set more fires throughout Judea, Samaria, and the rest of the country,” Sukkot warned.

As fire crews extinguished the last of the flames, a sense of vigilance remained high. The attacks if proven to be acts of terror highlight a new front in Israel’s ongoing war for its homeland. No longer confined to rocket fire or infiltrations, terrorism now seeks to destroy from below through flames meant to scar both land and morale.

These events serve as a stark reminder that Israel’s enemies exploit every opportunity to sow chaos, even on days meant for celebration and remembrance.

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