Italy, Cyprus sending Israel firefighting aircraft: Report
The European countries are set to dispatch eight firefighting planes to Israel today to support its emergency efforts, The Times of Israel reports.
The assistance comes as fires continue to burn in 11 hotspots near Jerusalem, with seven towns still under evacuation, the publication cites Israel’s Fire and Rescue Service as saying.
Flames and smoke rise as wildfires rage following extreme heat and strong winds in Neve Ilan, Israel, April 30
Israel wildfires flare near Jerusalem for a second day
Israeli firefighting teams have been tackling wildfires near Jerusalem for a second day, with police reporting the reopening of several major roads that had been closed.
The fires broke out on Wednesday along the main Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway, prompting police to shut the roads and evacuate thousands of residents from nearby areas.
Israel’s firefighting service said 163 ground crews and 12 aircraft were working to contain the flames. Rescue agency Magen David Adom said it treated 23 people on Wednesday, mostly for smoke inhalation and burns.
Netanyahu says 18 arrested on suspicion of arson: Report
Israel’s Arutz Sheva media outlet has quoted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as stating that 18 people are detained on suspicion of starting fires that have swept parts of Israel.
Fires near Jerusalem largely ‘under control’: Israeli official
Fires that swept through areas near Jerusalem have largely been tamed, though dangerous hotspots remain, according to Israeli officials. Major roads that were closed due to the blaze near the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway have now reopened, the AFP news agency reports.
“The fire is under control,” said Shlomi Harush, a senior official in Israel’s firefighting service. He noted that crews remain active at several “hotspots” and warned that strong winds could cause the flames to build back up.
As we reported earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quoted by local media as saying 18 people were arrested on suspicion of starting the fires, without providing further details. While wildfires are not unheard of in Israel at this time of year, they are not considered a regular occurrence.
They call that a national emergency requiring international assistance? Apocalyptic scenes? It took 24 days to get the wildfires in LA under control, burning down 16,000 structures. Israel exaggerating as usual to distract. No wonder most of the images online are all close ups.
Israeli police say three people arrested for arson
Israeli police have corrected PM Netanyahu’s earlier statement that 18 people were detained on suspicion of arson, after fires tore through areas near Jerusalem, local media reported.
Israel’s Arutz Sheva media quoted Israeli police as saying three – not 18 – individuals were arrested.
