Arab terrorists use social media to urge setting fires to destroy Israel 

In a troubling escalation, Arab terrorists have taken to platforms like Telegram and X to openly incite others to commit arson across Israel, urging followers to start fires as a form of resistance against the state.

Posts and videos circulating on these networks frame the deliberate ignition of wildfires as both a tactical weapon and a patriotic act, sparking alarm among Israeli security and emergency services already battling blazes intensified by extreme weather.

The above video, posted on Telegram, calls out to the "youth of the West Bank": "Be the freedom fire that never extinguishes. Let's enflame their days and nights. We shall hit them back for the nightmares of occupation. They shall know that every day is one of struggle and resistance. Light the fire of freedom everywhere. We will not submit, we will not surrender, we shall burn all the land that has been usurped. We are here and we will not leave."

Multiple cities and communities across central Israel were ordered to evacuate on Wednesday as fast-moving wildfires continued to sweep through the region, fueled by extreme weather and strong winds.

In the city of Elad, authorities initiated a partial evacuation as flames approached the eastern neighborhoods. Independence Day events across the area have been canceled out of caution. In the south, fire and Border Police teams are battling multiple blazes near Kfar Warburg, Shafir, and Masu'ot Yitzhak. Residents have been evacuated from Mishmar Ayalon, Nahshon, Latrun, and Neve Shalom.

Major roads have also been shut down due to the dangerous conditions. Highway 1, a key route linking Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, is closed in both directions from the Anava Interchange to Sha’ar HaGai. Highway 38 is shut northbound from Sha’ar HaGai to the turn onto Highway 1, and Highway 3 is closed in both directions from Latrun Interchange to Nachshon Junction, according to the Israel National Roads Company.