Arson attacks by Arab terrorists are not new—they’ve long been a known tactic, especially in Judea and Samaria. But in recent months, a disturbing resurgence is underway.
In the last two months, terrorists from West Bank villages have begun launching incendiary balloons toward Israeli towns. Security officials initially downplayed the threat, claiming the balloons carried "Ramadan greetings." Yet some were clearly intended to spark fires.
Now, for the second time during a heatwave, coordinated arson attacks have been carried out—this time by terrorists from East Jerusalem, and likely not only them. These events come dangerously close to disaster, and it seems only divine mercy has spared lives.
At the same time, recent months have seen thwarted bombing attempts on buses in central Israel. These potentially catastrophic attacks were not detected in advance. Once again, the defense establishment failed to recognize the warning signs—incitement, intent to carry out suicide bombings, and plans to ignite fires across the country to cause mass casualties and destruction.
After a controversial deal that released over 700 convicted terrorists—each with Israeli blood on their hands—security officials claimed “we can handle it.” But many of these freed murderers, along with armed terrorists who fled camps in northern Samaria, are now at large in Judea, Samaria, or possibly even inside Israel.
These are not idle threats. There’s a bloodthirsty enemy actively seeking new-old methods to carry out murder and mayhem. And Israel’s security apparatus still hasn’t learned the hard lessons from the October 7 massacre in the south.
If these attacks are meant to sabotage Memorial Day and Independence Day with terror and flames, Israel must respond with full lockdowns on Judea, Samaria, and East Jerusalem—and eliminate the terrorists responsible.
The Arab population from which these terror plots arise must bear the consequences.