Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, said Saturday evening that the large fire in Havat Gilad is suspected arson and that an estimated 30 homes and businesses were destroyed, causing extensive damage to infrastructure. He called for the perpetrators to be caught and for all state authorities to assist in the settlement's rehabilitation, vowing 'we will never break; Havat Gilad will be bigger.'
Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan said Saturday evening that the large fire in Havat Gilad is suspected arson, and that an estimated 30 homes and businesses were destroyed, with extensive damage to infrastructure. He called for the perpetrators to be caught and for all state authorities to assist in the settlement's rehabilitation, vowing, "We will never break; Havat Gilad will be bigger." The figure is a sharp escalation from earlier reports from the scene.
The Zioneer had been tracking the fire since 15:27 Jerusalem, when initial reports indicated at least six homes destroyed, a fire truck lost, and one firefighter injured. By 15:27, reports had risen to over 10 homes damaged, then 13 homes damaged, then 10 homes damaged with two firefighters injured. At 15:27, 45 firefighting crews and eight aircraft were deployed, and two firefighters were reported wounded. At 19:56 Jerusalem, N12 reported that a special investigation team with the IDF had been formed to probe the fire on suspicion of arson.
The Samaria Regional Council has been active in promoting settlement expansion, as The Zioneer reported on June 9 when Dagan presented a plan for 18 new settlements in northern Samaria at a Washington conference, winning congressional support. The fire at Havat Gilad, a community in the northern West Bank, comes amid ongoing tensions.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with suspicion of arson but no official confirmation. The full extent of damage and any casualties beyond previously reported injuries are still being assessed. Dagan's figure of 30 homes and businesses has not been independently confirmed by fire services or other officials.
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