WEST BANK (Dispatches) – A Hebrew TV channel exposed the Zionist regime’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, revealing that his claims about the causes of the recent wildfires in the Al-Quds Hills area were false.
Channel 12 reported that “the main fires in the Al-Quds Hills, contrary to what Netanyahu said, were not started intentionally.” Estimates, according to the channel, indicate “they were caused by negligence.” It also clarified that “the three individuals who were arrested have no connection to the fires.”
Netanyahu stated that security forces had arrested 18 individuals on suspicion of starting the fires in Al-Quds, adding that one of them was caught in the act.
However, Israel Police rejected Netanyahu’s statement, confirming that “no 18 people were arrested on suspicion of setting fires in Al-Quds.”
The wildfires, which spread across large areas of forests and farmland in occupied Al-Quds and Tel Aviv, even reaching the Jordan Valley, have sparked political tensions within the Zionist regime.
The fires expanded rapidly due to high temperatures and strong winds in the forested area. The Israeli Meteorological Service has warned that the fires are likely to continue spreading because of the ongoing winds.
Firefighters continued battling widespread wildfires for a second consecutive day in the forests surrounding Al-Quds, with an estimated 5,000 acres (20,000 dunams) already scorched.
Six areas remain actively affected by the blaze, though residents who were previously evacuated have now been allowed to return to their homes in some areas. However, nature reserves in the region remain closed to the public due to safety concerns.
The Jewish fund JNF has described the event as one of the most extensive wildfires in the occupying regime’s history.
In late March, the Israeli Climate Forum urged  Netanyahu to convene emergency meetings to prepare for the upcoming summer season, warning specifically about the risk of wildfires.
“We tried to get his attention,” said Dov Khenin, head of the Israeli Climate Forum. “But despite all the reminders we’ve sent so far, the prime minister did not make an effort to assemble the discussion.”
On Wednesday, criticism escalated as a former senior public security official accused hardline minister Itamar Ben Gvir of undermining the occupying regime’s firefighting capabilities.
Tomer Lotan, former director general of the public security ministry, said he had recommended in 2022 the purchase of Black Hawk helicopters as part of a broader strategy to combat wildfires. He claims the proposal was dismissed by Ben Gvir, leaving the regime underprepared.