Fires in Northern West Bank Force Settlement Evacuations, Injure Firefighters

Severe fires broke out across northern West Bank settlements on Saturday, prompting evacuations and resulting in injuries, according to Israeli police and rescue services. The blaze began west of the Palestinian city of Nablus, near the Israeli settlement of Kedumim, leading to the evacuation of two neighborhoods.

The flames quickly advanced to the adjacent settlement of Havat Gilad, which was also evacuated as a precautionary measure. Firefighters and rescue personnel from across Israel battled the intense fires for hours. Israeli services reported that two firefighters sustained injuries, and an unspecified number of other individuals were transported to hospitals.

The firefighting effort involved one reconnaissance helicopter and eight water-dropping aircraft. Authorities confirmed that 13 homes and a lumber warehouse were completely destroyed. Police closed several roads to ensure emergency vehicles had unimpeded access to the affected areas.

Investigations into the origins of the fire have been initiated by both the police and fire services. Havat Gilad, established in 2002, was retroactively legalized by the Israeli government in 2018, though international law considers Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank illegal. Firefighters are expected to remain on site until all embers are fully extinguished.