Tensions are running high in Israel and the West Bank following a series of massive brush fires that have ravaged the countryside, with authorities scrambling to determine whether they were started intentionally or not. The arrest of an East Jerusalem man on suspicion of arson has added fuel to the fire, as right-wing officials urge a lockdown in the West Bank amid Palestinian social media calls for more blazes.
The 50-year-old suspect was apprehended by police after a tip-off led them to a person attempting to start a fire in southern Jerusalem. The individual, who fled from police but was eventually caught, was found to be carrying a lighter, cotton wool, and other flammable materials on his person.
The timing of the arrest coincides with a surge in social media calls for Palestinians to set fires in Israel during the country’s Independence Day celebrations. Hamas-affiliated Palestinian channel Shehab and several other accounts circulated messages urging people to “set fire to gardens, vehicles, and everything around the settlements.”
In response, far-right lawmakers are calling for a curfew and lockdown on Palestinian villages in the West Bank, citing concerns that Palestinians may try to ignite more fires in Judea and Samaria. The Prime Minister’s Office has confirmed that Netanyahu is receiving updates on the firefighting efforts and conducting assessments with security officials.
The Shin Bet domestic security agency is also assisting in the investigation, helping police locate other potential suspects who may have sparked some of the blazes. However, Yair Netanyahu, the Prime Minister’s son, has taken to social media to blame the Shin Bet for the fires, amid a broader campaign against the agency’s leadership.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains unclear whether the massive fires were started intentionally or not. One thing is certain, however: the tensions between Israelis and Palestinians are running high, and the stakes could not be higher.
Sourced from https://www.timesofisrael.com