Palestinians watch a fire burn near the village of Tell, west of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, on July 18, 2026, following a reported arson attack by 'Israeli' settlers, according to eyewitnesses.
Illegal settlement evacuated as fire set by 'Israeli' settlers on Palestinian fields spreads
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- Smoke rises from a fire near the village of Tel, south of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, after a blaze set on Palestinian agricultural fields by settlers spread toward nearby 'Israeli' settlements, forcing evacuations.
An 'Israeli' settlement in the occupied West Bank was evacuated on Saturday after a fire originally set by 'Israeli' settlers on Palestinian agricultural fields spread toward nearby settlements, destroying homes and injuring firefighters, according to Palestinian witnesses and 'Israeli' emergency authorities.
The blaze broke out in crop fields near the Palestinian village of Tel, south of Nablus, where 'Israeli' settlers deliberately set fire to agricultural land, according to local residents. Palestinian landowners initially attempted to contain the rapidly spreading flames using basic tools before emergency crews arrived to carry out ground and aerial firefighting operations.
The fire later spread toward the 'Israeli' settlement of Kedumim, where two neighborhoods were evacuated, before reaching the nearby settlement of Havat Gilad, which was also evacuated as flames approached.
'Israel's' Fire and Rescue Authority said firefighting teams from several regions were deployed to battle the blaze. At least two firefighters were injured during the operation, while additional people were later taken to hospital, though authorities did not provide a number.
The firefighting effort involved a reconnaissance helicopter and eight water-dropping aircraft. Authorities said the flames destroyed 13 homes and a warehouse.
Havat Gilad was illegally established in 2002 and received retroactive authorization from the 'Israeli'' government in 2018. 'Israeli' settlements in the West Bank, occupied by 'Israel' since 1967, are considered illegal under international law.
Separately, Israel's Fire and Rescue Authority reported additional wildfires in northern Israel near the communities of Shimshit and Kfar Vradim, as well as in the Mount Tabor area. By early evening, authorities said firefighters had brought all fires in northern Israel under control.
