A massive wildfire swept through the yishuv of Havat Gilad in the Shomron on Shabbos after spreading from the direction of Kedumim, forcing the evacuation of all residents.

Dozens of firefighting crews battled the blaze for hours, assisted by firefighting aircraft. Two firefighters were injured during the operation, one moderately and the other lightly.

At least 13 homes, a garage, and a lumber storage facility were destroyed in the fire.

United Hatzalah said its medical teams treated 20 people for smoke inhalation. EMT Ariel Ben David said that, together with additional volunteers and the organization’s ambulance crews, medical treatment was provided to victims who sustained moderate and light injuries and suffered respiratory problems due to smoke inhalation. Nine of them were transported by United Hatzalah ambulances to Meir Medical Center for further treatment.

Israel Police, Fire and Rescue Services, and the IDF announced on Motzei Shabbos that the fire had been brought under control. Arson investigators opened an investigation into the cause of the fire, and according to the investigative team’s preliminary findings, the fire was caused by an unextinguished cigarette butt thrown at the side of the road.

The police are searching for the vehicle from which the cigarette butt was thrown.

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)