British authorities detained a fourth individual in connection with the recent arson attack on Jewish community ambulances in London. The arrest took place at a London court where three other suspects, Hamza Iqbal, 20, Rehan Khan, 19, and a 17-year-old whose identity is protected, were already facing charges for setting fire to four ambulances owned by the Jewish volunteer emergency service Hatzola on March 23 near a synagogue in Golders Green.
London’s Metropolitan Police disclosed that the fourth suspect, a 19-year-old male, was apprehended at the court premises after officers identified him as linked to the crime. He was taken into custody on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
The trio previously charged with arson and endangering life have been remanded in custody, with the minor ordered to be held in youth detention. Authorities suspect that four individuals were involved in executing the attack.
Describing the incident as a “deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the act. The SITE Intelligence website reported that the Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand, an Iran-aligned militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack, noting similar incidents in Europe.
While counter-terrorism units lead the investigation, the incident is not currently classified as terrorism. Hatzola, a volunteer emergency service supporting the Orthodox Jewish community, operates in collaboration with the National Health Service in the UK. Despite explosions from cylinders on the ambulances causing damage, no injuries were reported.
Notably, there has been a surge in attacks on Jewish individuals and institutions in Britain following the 2023 Hamas assault on Israel, which escalated tensions, according to law enforcement and community sources.