On Friday morning, multiple fires broke out in several areas across Israel. Due to the blazing flames, around 5,000 residents of Nof HaGalil were reportedly forced to evacuate their homes.
Multiple fires cover several areas across Israel.
While most fires are believed to have been caused due to extreme heat conditions, officials in the Israeli security establishment raised concerns that some fires in the West Bank were the result of deliberate arson by Palestinian individuals. However, efforts are being made to locate any involved suspects.
To bring help to contain wildfire and evacuate citizens, a group of IDF soldiers were recruited.
Around 25 fire teams including volunteers, were called to the area of Kfar HaOranim, located near Modi’in Illit to contain wildfires in the area, which engulfed a number of houses. Air support also arrived, and rescue services requested that residents of the village evacuate.
The amount of emergency service workers were not enough, and a request was sent for more fire teams and air support in addition to teams already at the scene. The fire department released a statement that read: “There is no control over the fire.”
Another wildfire broke out near the village of Umm-al-Qutuf and another near the village of Umm al-Fahm.
Police officers and fire services arrived at the area, in addition to air support, in attempts to contain the fire and protect the residents of the village.
More fires were reported in additional areas of the country, including in the West Bank settlement of Mevo Dotan and Bat Hefer. Traffic has been directed away from these areas, and residents in many municipalities have been asked to evacuate their homes.
Later Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held briefings with Public Security Minister Amir Ohana, acting police commissioner Moti Cohen, Fire Commissioner Dedi Simchi and head of the National Security Council (NSC) Meir Ben-Shabat.
Netanyahu received a briefing from Cohen and suggested considering foreign assistance if the current measures taken are not enough to contain all fires.
Cohen indicated that thanks to assistance from the police and Home Front Command, no such action is necessary at this point.
President Reuven Rivlin took to Twitter to show his support for the firefighters dealing with containing the fires.
“I’ve been anxiously following the updates on the wild fires spreading across several areas in the country. My heart goes out to the resident who were forced to evacuate their homes during these challenging days.”
“I send my sincere support to our firefighters. I see how hard you all are working to contain the spreading fire and pray that the situation ends as soon as possible,” Rivlin tweeted.
English
Português
Español
Français
