Police and the ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) feel the recent fires in northern Israel were not the result of the hot and dry Mideast summer, but due to Arab arson attacks – an alternative form of terrorism. Israel Police has created a task force to investigate the fires, head by Deputy Commissioner Eli Assyag. In addition, there is a police strike team operating in wooded areas in the hope of apprehending arsonists as well as detecting and addressing blazes as soon as they begin.

Investigators announce with almost absolute certainty that the Even Sapir fires in Jerusalem were no arson, but the result of careless campers.

The fires in the Kiryat Tivon areas are almost certainly arson the fire investigators report, explaining that a number of hours before the major blaze in those areas there were two smaller blazes, which broke out during the predawn hours in an open area. The time of those blazes fire investigators report makes camper carelessness unlikely in that type of area. In addition, at that time there were no strong winds to carry a blaze and no extreme heat conditions since it was before sunrise.

Officials fear that there were literally dozens of arson fires during recent months and the evidence in the Carmel and Tivon areas points to arson and the motive appears to be nationalistic, i.e. terror. Nevertheless, other motives are not being ruled out at this time including a pyromaniac.

ISA agents admit they do not have intelligence information pointing to an arson terror cell as they continue to rely on experience, intelligence and hunches, while keeping an open mind to other motives as well. Veteran investigators explain that in the case of forest fires the cause is almost always man, either arson or carelessness. Some agents focus on containing and extinguishing any blaze after it is detected while others work to track down those responsible.

Four Arabs were arrested by Yassam commando troops over the weekend on suspicion of arson. After questioning them police learned they are not the arsonists but they will nevertheless be charged with being inside ‘Israel proper’ without permits.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)