British authorities have apprehended a fourth individual in connection with a recent arson incident targeting Jewish community ambulances. The arrest took place at a London court where three other suspects were already facing charges related to the attack. The accused individuals, Hamza Iqbal, 20, Rehan Khan, 19, and a 17-year-old whose identity is protected by law, are accused of setting fire to four ambulances owned by the Jewish volunteer emergency service Hatzola on March 23 in the Golders Green area of north London.
The Metropolitan Police in London disclosed that the fourth suspect, a 19-year-old man, was recognized by officers at court as being linked to the arson attack. He was taken into custody on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. The three previously charged individuals are facing allegations of arson with intent to damage property and endangering life recklessly. Among them, two hold British citizenship, while the third is a dual British-Pakistani national.
All three suspects have been remanded in custody, with the 17-year-old directed to be held in youth detention housing. Authorities believe that a total of four individuals were involved in executing the attack. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the incident as a “deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack.” The SITE Intelligence website reported that a group called Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand, aligned with Iran, claimed responsibility for the incident, indicating a history of similar actions in Europe.
While counter-terrorism officials are leading the investigation in Britain, the incident is not currently classified as terrorism. Hatzola, a volunteer emergency service cooperating with the National Health Service in the UK, primarily supports the Orthodox Jewish community. The London Fire Brigade noted that explosions from cylinders on the ambulances caused nearby windows to shatter, though no injuries were reported. Police and community organizations have observed a rise in attacks on Jewish individuals and establishments in the UK following the 2023 conflict in Gaza initiated by a Hamas assault on Israel.
