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1,023 blazes destroy some 8,000 dunams of Israeli forests

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the national Police, Fire and Rescue authorities for successfully managing to battle more than one thousand blazes that raged cross-country this past week. 50 homes and 7,940 dunams (1,962 acres) of forests were destroyed during the 41-hour period that 1,023 blazes were burning. Thankfully, no fatalities were reported; although 16 people suffered from smoke inhalation, and 13 of the more than 1,000 firefighters who battled the flames were lightly injured.  Thousands of Israelis were evacuated from their homes during the inferno, which coincided with a scorching heatwave, that in some areas reached higher than 48 degrees Celsius (118.4 F). 12 local firefighting tankers were deployed during the mission, assisted by a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles. Prime Minister Netanyahu issued a call for international assistance after holding an emergency briefing with the National Security Council and Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan. He later expressed his deep appreciation to Egypt, Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Croatia for heeding that request, especially singling out Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi for praise. Netanyahu also voiced gratitude for offers of practical aid from Russia and the Palestinian Authority, while acknowledging “the readiness of neighbors to help [Israel] in a time of crisis, just as [Jerusalem has] help[ed] them.”

An official investigation into the cause of the massive fires has been launched. The National Fire and Rescue Authority indicated that the loss of 40 homes at the community of Mevo Modi’im may have been the result of a deliberate arson, after initial findings indicate the flames originated at several different locations. The Israel Electric Corporation is probing reports that dozens of homes in the south of the country may have been damaged by a power cable failure, and the defense establishment is trying to ascertain whether other fires were ignited by incendiary kites and balloons flown into Israel from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. In addition to that, three Arab residents of Jerusalem have been arrested on suspicion of committing arson attacks.

Meanwhile communities are pulling together to offer humanitarian support to those left without homes, and the government has vowed to help with recovery efforts. In this regard, Prime Minister Netanyahu has asked to be personally updated on the rebuilding process, telling his cabinet “It is heart-rending to see people whose homes were completely burnt. We will help however we can to rebuild the places that were hit.”