Massive fire rages in Samarian hills since Wednesday, Jewish residents say it’s arson

A fire has engulfed 1,700 acres of farmland and pastures in Samaria. Jewish residents say its arson and demand police take action.

By World Israel News Staff

Residents of the Jewish town of Itamar in Samaria have been unable to stop a fire that has raged since Wednesday night, Arutz7 reports.

Roughly 1,700 acres of farmland and pastures have been burned so far, the online site reports. Damage is estimated at NIS 700,000 ($194,000).

“This is the fourth fire to break out in four days, endangering residents and families, destroying years worth of work by farmers. The heart breaks,” Iyar Segal, a resident of the Itamar hills, told Arutz7.

“We expect the Civil Administration, the IDF and police to arrest the arsonists with a strong hand, and to assist the farmers and residents,” he said.

“The heart breaks to see thousands of dunams of farmland and pasture burning,” said Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council. “I demand an investigation into the matter to find the culprits and bring them to trial. The farmers, who really sacrifice themselves to work the land and make desolation bloom, cannot be the last ones on the food chain. They should be helped and the fires should be stopped in every possible way. “