A fire that broke out during an IDF evacuation operation in the Shomron has sparked serious allegations that soldiers deliberately burned a building containing Sifrei Kodesh, tefillin, and personal belongings.

The incident occurred on Shabbos, October 24, near the village of Jalud, during an operation to remove Israeli civilians from a site that the military identified as a closed military zone.

According to residents and activists, a building caught fire during the evacuation, destroying clothing, furniture, mattresses, and other belongings. They also claimed that tefillin and Sifrei Kodesh were among the items consumed by the flames.

Video footage circulated following the incident reportedly shows a soldier dragging a mattress toward an existing fire. Another recording reportedly captures a soldier threatening to use tear gas against individuals attempting to extinguish the flames.

The footage has intensified demands for an investigation into the soldiers' conduct and the circumstances surrounding the blaze. However, the available recordings do not independently establish how the building fire began or confirm which religious articles were destroyed.

In its response, the IDF stated that soldiers had arrived in the area after identifying Israeli civilians unlawfully present in a closed military zone. According to the military, troops used crowd-control measures to remove those present, after which a fire broke out.

The IDF said the circumstances of the fire remain under investigation.

The military also stated that the structure belongs to Palestinians and is located in an area subject to a military closure order. According to the IDF, Israeli civilians were not authorized to occupy the site or keep personal belongings there.

Local Palestinian officials have likewise said that the building was Palestinian-owned and had been taken over by Israeli settlers in recent months.

The allegations concerning the destruction of tefillin and Sifrei Kodesh have drawn particular attention because of the religious significance of these sacred items.

As of Sunday, October 25, no official findings establishing responsibility for the fire had been announced, and the reported destruction of religious articles had not been independently confirmed.

The incident remains under investigation.