Fire Service Determines Blaze Near Samaria Farm Was Arson

An Israel Fire and Rescue investigator determined Thursday evening that the blaze near Derech Avraham Farm in Samaria was deliberately set. The fire began at about 11 a.m. in open terrain and advanced toward the farm before ground crews, volunteers, IDF forces and firefighting aircraft brought it under control. Fire Service and Israel Police investigators, working with the IDF's Samaria Brigade, continued examining who started the blaze and remained at the scene to prevent renewed flames. During the firefighting effort, two Palestinian terrorists stabbed Israeli farmer Itamar Cohen, 51, seriously wounding him before an armed civilian killed both assailants.