Two Arrested After Arson Attack on Jewish Community Ambulances in London

Two men have been arrested by the Metropolitan Police over an arson attack on ambulances belonging to Hatzola in London. Four vehicles were destroyed in explosions that forced nearby evacuations. Investigations are ongoing, with police probing possible links to extremist groups but saying it is too early to confirm any connection to Iran.

Two men have been taken into custody in connection with an arson attack that targeted ambulances serving a Jewish community in north London, according to police on Wednesday.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that counterterrorism officers arrested the suspects, aged 47 and 45, at separate locations across the city. Both individuals remain in custody as investigations continue.
Authorities stressed that the inquiry is still ongoing, noting that CCTV footage from the scene suggests the involvement of at least three perpetrators. Detectives are working to identify and locate any additional suspects linked to the attack.
The incident occurred shortly after midnight on Monday, when four ambulances operated by Hatzola, a volunteer emergency response group based in the Golders Green area, were deliberately set ablaze. Gas canisters inside the vehicles ignited during the fire, causing a series of explosions that forced nearby residents to evacuate their homes. Witnesses reported that the blasts were powerful enough to shatter windows in surrounding buildings, including those of a nearby synagogue.
British authorities have previously raised concerns about the activities of Iran, accusing it of deploying criminal networks to carry out operations across Europe. These operations have allegedly targeted dissidents as well as Jewish communities. The UK’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, disclosed that it had disrupted more than 20 potentially lethal plots believed to be linked to Iran in the year leading up to October.
Police are also examining a claim of responsibility that surfaced online from a group identifying itself as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, translated as the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right. Israeli officials have described the group as a relatively new entity with suspected connections to pro-Iranian networks. The group has reportedly claimed responsibility for previous incidents, including synagogue-related attacks in Belgium and Netherlands.
Despite these claims, Mark Rowley, head of the Metropolitan Police, cautioned that it remains too early to definitively link the London attack to the Iranian state or any organized network.
Counterterrorism officials have appealed to the public for assistance, urging anyone with relevant information to come forward. They also expressed appreciation to local residents and members of the Jewish community for their cooperation during the investigation.
Authorities acknowledged that tensions and concerns within the community remain high following the attack. A senior police official stated that an increased security presence would be maintained across London in the coming days and weeks. The additional deployment, police emphasized, is a precautionary measure aimed at reassuring the public rather than a response to any specific or imminent threat.