Three Arrested for Arson Amid Wildfire Crisis Across Israel

Massive wildfires near Jerusalem led to widespread evacuations, road closures, and the cancellation of Israel's Independence Day events. While officials suspect arson may be involved due to several simultaneous ignitions and social media incitement, the exact cause of the main blaze remains undetermined. Israeli police have arrested three suspects for arson, but police sources indicate these arrests are not definitively linked to the Jerusalem-area wildfires. Israel's internal security agency, Shin Bet, has joined the investigation, reflecting strong official suspicions of arson, and government officials have called for severe penalties for arsonists. Some politicians have demanded curfews on Arab villages amid concerns of further arson attempts, citing calls to set fires spread on Arabic-language social media. Despite these suspicions, Fire and Rescue Services have not yet established the cause of the main fires.