Havat Gilad
Havat Gilad is a Jewish community in the Samaria region of the West Bank, known for its resilience and history of legal and security challenges. It recently faced a devastating wildfire that destroyed dozens of homes, leading to a massive national fundraising effort and allegations of nationalist arson.
Havat Gilad is a community located in the heart of Samaria, established in 2002 in memory of Gilad Zar, the security coordinator of the Shomron Regional Council who was murdered by terrorists. For years, the community existed as an unauthorized outpost, facing multiple evacuation attempts and legal battles before receiving government recognition. It has become a symbol of the pioneer spirit and the struggle for Jewish presence in Judea and Samaria.
In July 2026, Havat Gilad became the center of national attention following a catastrophic wildfire. The fire swept through the community on a Saturday, destroying approximately 30 buildings and leaving dozens of families, including 84 children, homeless. Among those affected were reserve soldiers who had served extensively in the Gaza Strip, such as Yishai, a Givati fighter whose home and family business were lost while he was away on duty. The scale of the destruction prompted an immediate and massive response from the Israeli public, with a fundraising campaign raising over 6 million shekels from more than 23,000 donors within the first 24 hours.
The incident is being treated with high security gravity. Initial reports and investigations by authorities pointed toward suspicion of arson with a nationalist motive. Prominent commentator Yosef Haddad later alleged that two Palestinian police officers were responsible for starting the blaze, though this specific claim remains under investigation. The event has underscored the ongoing security vulnerabilities faced by communities in Samaria, where environmental hazards are often intertwined with nationalist friction. Despite the loss, the residents of Havat Gilad have expressed a firm commitment to rebuilding, viewing the disaster as another chapter in their history of perseverance and attachment to the land.