Sources at the police fire command center suspect that some of the fires currently raging in Israel were caused by arson. Three suspects have been arrested and are currently being questioned. Concern is growing in light of the wave of fires that have broken out, the most significant of which is still raging in the Jerusalem hills area. In addition to the fires in the Jerusalem hills and near Beit Shemesh, which are relatively common for the season, fires are also raging in a series of additional locations, such as Beit She’an and Afula in the north of the country, and in other areas, including in southern Israel. The fire that broke out a week ago near Beit Shemesh is believed to be the result of arson. At about 5 p.m., yishuvim near the line of fire in the Jerusalem Hills, including Mevo Horon, were ordered to evacuate. Fire chief Eyal Caspi said on Wednesday evening that the fires are expected to last for at least another day. The Meteorological Service said on Wednesday evening that the severe weather is expected to continue in the coming hours, and the risk of the spread of fires continues to be very high, especially in the center of the country, with an emphasis on the Judean Plains and the Jerusalem Hills – where strong gusts of wind of 60-70 km/h are expected from west to east. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)