Overview
- A large wildfire that broke out on Saturday swept into Havat Gilad, forcing more than 100 families to evacuate and destroying between 13 and nearly 30 buildings as early damage counts were revised.
- Investigators reported finding a cigarette butt at the fire’s origin and are reviewing security camera footage; the Shin Bet has handed the inquiry to the Israel Police as officials say a nationalist motive is no longer the main lead but has not been fully ruled out.
- Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich visited the site, ordered Property Tax Authority appraisers to document damage for compensation, and pledged immediate aid plus work on permanent housing and reconstruction plans.
- Community leaders and residents say the blaze was likely arson, alleged fireworks were launched from nearby Arab villages during the fire, and they have called for arrests and a stronger security response while evacuees were moved to nearby Yitzhar.
- The incident highlights recurring settler–Palestinian tensions in the Samaria area and could prompt expanded security operations, a government-led rebuilding program, and a formal compensation process for affected families.