A fire broke out Tuesday near the Israeli community of Yitzhar in Samaria, spreading from the Palestinian village of Asira al-Qibliya. Firefighters and volunteers contained the flames before they reached homes. According to the Israel Fire and Rescue Services, a witness report indicates a vehicle arrived at the scene and an individual set the fire before fleeing.
The fire, which broke out around midday Tuesday near Yitzhar in Samaria, marks the second suspected arson incident in the area within two hours. According to the Israel Fire and Rescue Services, the blaze originated from the Palestinian village of Asira al-Qibliya and spread toward the Israeli community. First responders noted that pre-summer firebreaks helped contain the flames before they reached the community's homes. Witnesses at the scene reported seeing a vehicle arrive and an individual starting the fire before fleeing, according to the fire service statement.
This follows a similar incident reported by The Zioneer earlier Tuesday, in which a fire near Itamar — also originating from Asira al-Qibliya and also suspected to have been set deliberately — was extinguished by volunteers and firefighters within meters of homes. The IDF has not yet commented on either incident. Firefighting teams remain in the area to monitor for reignition.
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