Investigators determined that a discarded cigarette likely caused the fire that destroyed 13 homes in Havat Gilad on Saturday. The Shin Bet has withdrawn from the case, concluding it was not a nationalist arson. Police are closing in on the person who threw the cigarette, and three youths were arrested on suspicion of a revenge attack.
The investigation into Saturday's devastating fire in Havat Gilad has taken a definitive turn. The Shin Bet has withdrawn from the case after determining the blaze was not a nationalist arson; investigators now definitively attribute the fire to a discarded cigarette. Security camera footage captured the initial ignition near the roadside, though the cigarette itself is not visible being thrown. Police are narrowing down the vehicle and individual responsible, with a security source stating: 'We will reach this person.' Separately, three youths were arrested overnight at a gas station in Kedumim on suspicion of preparing a revenge attack, after filling jerrycans with gasoline. They will be brought to court today for a remand hearing.
As The Zioneer reported on Saturday (Jul 18, 16:21 Jerusalem), the fire destroyed 24 homes and damaged others, with initial reports describing it as an arson attack. Within hours, the same afternoon, the investigation concluded the cause was a cigarette butt, as reported in multiple updates. Earlier Sunday, at 08:10 Jerusalem, experts cited by The Zioneer indicated that the fires in Judea and Samaria were not arson, with one case likely from a discarded cigarette. At 10:13 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that 29 buildings had been damaged and 13 completely burned. The thread of reports shows the shift from an arson suspicion to a non-hostile cause.
The Shin Bet's initial involvement and subsequent exit reflect the evolution of the investigation. The broader context of fires in the region, as previously reported by The Zioneer, includes a separate fire near Yitzhar on June 30 where arson was suspected. The Havat Gilad fire, however, is now assessed as accidental. The three youths arrested in Kedumim claimed the gasoline was for leaf blowers used to fight the fire; police said additional items raised suspicion.
It remains unclear exactly which vehicle and person discarded the cigarette; investigators are still working to identify the individual. The three youths' cases are pending judicial review. No other accelerants were found at the origin point.
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