Man arrested for setting fire to kindergarten after wife was denied a job

During the night on Tuesday, just before the start of the school year, a kindergarten in the town of Lakiya was set on fire. Dozens of children were expected to arrive at the facility this morning, but staff were forced to inform parents that it would not open.

Police arrested a resident of Tel Sheva who, according to investigators, set fire to the kindergarten because his wife was not hired. Three other kindergartens in the town also failed to open today due to internal disputes regarding staffing.

An educational official familiar with the details stated:

"It is hard to describe the distress caused to young children who were waiting with excitement for the first day at kindergarten, for the meeting with friends and staff, and on this festive morning are forced to stay at home. The attempt to turn the education system into an arena for struggles over jobs, territories, or family interests is a despicable phenomenon that must be condemned. Children are not bargaining chips and they must not pay the price for these conflicts. It is mandatory to act decisively to resolve disputes outside of educational institutions and ensure educational continuity."

In Rahat, the start of the school year also did not go smoothly, as the Israel Police located a Glock pistol, ammunition, and 5.56 mm rounds near a kindergarten in the city. Two local residents, aged 38 and 40, were arrested and transferred to the Rahat station for further investigation.

The district commander has ordered the establishment of a special operational headquarters in Rahat, staffed by 'Sa'ar' brigade fighters, to tackle crime, utilizing the unit's capabilities for prevention and rapid response to any incident.