Responsibility for the wildfires may rest with Hamas,
potentially jeopardizing innocent Palestinians
Dr. Pamelia Riviere

Israel is facing a national emergency believed to be caused by a terrorist
act. The West Bank is under lockdown, and individuals have been
arrested for the wildfire near Jerusalem. Most Western media reported
on the wildfire near Jerusalem, Israel. However, the Times of Israel and
the Jerusalem Post reported that Hamas caused the fire. If the
propaganda machines of Israel falsely accuse this, it could create trouble
for the innocent civilians in Gaza and the West Bank. Netanyahu may
view this as an opportunity to escalate the war in Gaza and bomb
innocent civilians. If the accusation against Hamas is true, Hamas once
again jeopardized the lives of Palestinians, surely.

On 30th April, 2025, The Times of Israel reports that an individual
suspected of arson was taken into custody on Wednesday, as
investigators looked into whether the significant brush fires occurring
west of Jerusalem were deliberately set, while calls emerged on
Palestinian social media urging the ignition of additional fires. However,
officials indicated on Wednesday evening that it was premature to
establish the fires' cause. A 50-year-old man from the Umm Tuba
neighbourhood in East Jerusalem was apprehended for allegedly trying

to ignite vegetation in southern Jerusalem, according to police reports.
Law enforcement conducted the arrest after receiving a tip-off about a
witness observing someone attempting to start a fire, as stated by a
police spokesperson. The suspect is being questioned at the Oz police
station in East Jerusalem.

One post on the Palestinian channel Shehab, linked to Hamas, stated:
“There are grassroots calls to ignite forests near the settlements.” Hamas
regards all Jewish communities in Israel and the West Bank, whether
within or beyond the Green Line, as settlements. Another post on X
across various accounts urged: “Your task is to set fire to gardens,
vehicles, and everything surrounding the settlements.” In response to the
incitement on social media, Zvi Sukkot, a far-right legislator from the
Religious Zionism party, penned a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu urging him to impose a curfew and lockdown on Palestinian
villages in the West Bank.

Sukkot wrote, “There is significant concern, based on prior experiences,
that Palestinians will attempt to ignite more fires in Judea and Samaria
as well as throughout Israel… To prevent such incidents, a curfew
should be immediately enacted on Judea and Samaria, along with a
blockade on the Palestinian villages.” Settlement leader Yossi Dagan,

who heads the Samaria Regional Council, and Likud MK Dan Illouz
echoed similar sentiments.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu has received
updates, assessed firefighting efforts, and frequently communicated with
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and firefighting and security
officials. The Shin Bet domestic security agency, which primarily
focuses on counterterrorism, announced that it was also involved in the
investigation. The agency is assisting the police in identifying additional
suspects who may have initiated some of the fires.

A report with similar content was published by the Jerusalem Post on
April 30, 2025: 'All you have to do is set fires': Hamas urges incendiary
actions in Jerusalem and the West Bank. "Young people of the West
Bank, young people of Jerusalem, and residents of Israel, ignite your
vehicles... Gaza is awaiting the retribution of the free," the militant
group stated. Hamas shared a message on Telegram encouraging
Palestinians to "burn anything you can, including orchards, forests, and
settler houses," on Wednesday.
“This may be the most significant fire incident the country has ever
faced,” stated Shmulik Friedman, commander of Jerusalem’s district fire
department, to the press on Wednesday afternoon. He cautioned that
winds reaching 60 miles per hour were complicating the situation and
might significantly heighten the risk of fires “shortly.” “This will persist

for an extended period. We are far from being in control.” Mr.
Netanyahu cautioned that the wildfires could reach Jerusalem. "The
westerly wind may easily drive the fire toward the outskirts of
(Jerusalem) - and potentially into the city itself," he mentioned in a
video sent from his office.

The wildfires sweeping near Jerusalem have led to evacuations and
closures, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare a
national emergency and request international aid. Social media posts
shared videos and images of the fires along the main Route 1 connecting
Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with thick smoke rising over the nearby hills.
Many individuals were seen fleeing their vehicles to escape the flames,
and at least a dozen were hospitalized.
Wildfires continued to blaze on the outskirts of Jerusalem on Wednesday
(April 30), leading to the evacuation of residents and the closure of a
primary highway as Israel requested international assistance to combat
the fire.
Videos from Reuters illustrated flames along the main Route 1 highway
between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, while thick smoke engulfed the
surrounding hills. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that
Italy and Croatia were expected to dispatch three firefighting aircraft to
help extinguish the fires. The Foreign Ministry indicated that Israel had
also sought assistance from Greece, Cyprus, and Bulgaria.

Israeli media reported that 120 fire and rescue service teams had been
mobilized, with many deploying teams, aircraft, and helicopters to
contain the fires. The military stated that its search and rescue units were
aiding the efforts.
According to police, three communities were evacuated, and at least 13
individuals sustained injuries, but no fatalities have been reported.
Independence Day celebrations were called off, including the major state
event scheduled to take place in Jerusalem. Israel requested help from
neighbouring nations.
Netanyahu mentioned that we are far from regaining control. Israel has
declared a national emergency and sought international aid concerning
the largest fire outbreak. Wildfires were active on the outskirts of
Jerusalem on Wednesday, necessitating evacuations and the closure of a
key highway as Israel sought external assistance to combat the blaze. TV
footage depicted flames along the main Route 1 highway between
Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Individuals abandoned their vehicles and fled
from the fires while thick smoke overshadowed the surrounding hills.

Israeli media stated that Hamas is responsible for the fire. "Young people
of the West Bank, young people of Jerusalem, and those residing in
Israel, ignite your vehicles. Gaza awaits the vengeance of the free," the
militant organization wrote. Earlier, the Jenin News Network's Telegram
channel also urged Palestinians to "set fire to the orchards close to the

settlements" in a post shared on Wednesday. If this is the case, for the
safety of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, it would be fair for
Hamas to clarify the causes of the wildfire. Most importantly, the
international community should investigate to identify the source of the
fires in Israel.
Dr. Pamelia Riviere is a freelance writer and an analyst.