Man suspected of torching hostage families’ tent due to anger over protest signs

Tent set up outside Knesset as part of a vigil by families of those held by Hamas

Damage from alleged arson at a tent where families of Israelis killed and taken hostage on October 7 have been sleeping, near the Knesset, December 8, 2023 (Times of Israel)
Damage from alleged arson at a tent where families of Israelis killed and taken hostage on October 7 have been sleeping, near the Knesset, December 8, 2023 (Times of Israel)

Police said Wednesday they had arrested a man suspected of torching a tent where families of hostages held in Gaza have been sleeping as they keep vigil outside the government quarter in Jerusalem. He is believed to have done so after being angered by social media posts showing protest signs at the site that he disagreed with.

The man, identified in court as Noah Yohanan, a 59-year-old resident of Kiryat Gat, was ordered held in custody for at least five more days after police presented a preliminary charge sheet. He was arrested Friday, a day after the fire, according to police.

Authorities did not say why Yohanan may have been angered by the signs, or what they said, but some media reports indicated he was a supporter of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose handling of the war and the hostage crisis has been harshly criticized by some of the hostages’ families.

According to police, Yohanan went to the tent with a backpack and matches. After scoping out the area, he set a fire and then quickly made his getaway.

Police said formal charges were expected in the coming days.

On October 7, thousands of Hamas terrorists stormed across the border, overrunning IDF bases and communities in southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and taking some 240 hostages.

Families of the hostages have been holding a series of vigils demanding that the government do more to free their loved ones.

It is believed that 135 hostages remain in Gaza — not all of them alive — after 105 civilians were released from Hamas captivity during a weeklong truce in late November. Four hostages were released prior to that, and one was rescued by troops. The bodies of four hostages have also been recovered. The Israel Defense Forces has confirmed the deaths of 18 of those still held by Hamas, citing new intelligence and findings obtained by troops operating in Gaza.

Most Popular
read more: