Israeli police arrested a 50-year-old man from East Jerusalem on Wednesday on suspicion of attempting to start a fire in southern Jerusalem, as major wildfires ravaged the forests west of the city.
The arrest came after a tip that someone was seen trying to set fire to vegetation. Police said the man tried to flee but was caught with a lighter, cotton wool, and other flammable materials. He was taken for questioning at the Oz police station in East Jerusalem.
The arrest happened as wildfires spread rapidly through the Jerusalem hills. Officials reported these fires started on Wednesday morning in at least five locations, including Latrun, Eshtaol Forest, Neve Shalom, and along Burma Road near Beit Meir and Mesilat Zion.
Route 1, a major highway in Israel which connects Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, was shut down after wildfires swept through the area, prompting drivers and passengers to abandon their vehicles.
Drivers trapped in cars, others escape on foot as flames engulf main Jerusalem highway
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Israel appeals to countries for help as fire spreads; people abandon cars, flee on foot to escape flames; 119 firefighting teams, 10 aircraft battle raging fire, egged on by dry weather… pic.twitter.com/XBXGZ3w73J— Ynetnews (@ynetnews) April 30, 2025
At least 10 communities were evacuated as a result of the fires. While no fatalities were reported, at least 13 people sustained injuries and received medical treatment. The Jewish National Fund estimated that approximately 11,700 dunams (2,900 acres) of land were destroyed, including nearly all of Canada Park near Latrun.
The wildfires have also disrupted national observances, prompting the cancellation of memorial and Independence Day ceremonies in Jerusalem.
This is the biggest fire Israel has ever known.
Palestinians did this so we wouldn’t celebrate Israel’s Independence Day.
I am furious. pic.twitter.com/meug0MPUl0
— Vivid.🇮🇱 (@VividProwess) April 30, 2025
The fires followed social media posts by Hamas, which urged Palestinians to set fire to groves, forests, and settler homes.
Not only around Jerusalem, Fires started in Northern Israel as well.
It is now obvious that the dozens of fires were started by Palestinian terrorists to sabotage the Independence day celebrationd.
The monsters have succeeded.
Due to the emergency situation, all Independence… pic.twitter.com/97596dfWy2
— The Voice Of Truth 🙌 (@thevoicetruth1) April 30, 2025
According to The Times of Israel, a message shared on the Hamas-affiliated Palestinian channel Shehab stated: “There are popular calls to set fire to forests near the settlements.”
Another message circulating on X across multiple accounts stated: “Your role is to set fire to gardens, vehicles, and everything around the settlements.”
In response to this incitement, Zvi Sukkot, a far-right lawmaker from the Religious Zionism party, sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to impose a curfew and lockdown on Palestinian villages in the West Bank.
The Israel Defense Forces, emergency units, air force, and police have been mobilized to combat the ongoing wildfires. Netanyahu said Italy and Croatia would send firefighting planes to help, and that Israel also asked for help from Greece, Cyprus, and Bulgaria.
