Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today thanked Egypt for sending two helicopters to back Israel’s firefighting efforts, and said the Palestinian Authority was among those that offered to help Israel battle a spate of wildfires that forced thousands from their homes yesterday.
Dozens of homes were reportedly burned on Thursday and some 3,500 people were forced from their homes by the fires.
Prime Minister Netanyahu also said he was considering expanding Israel’s squadron of firefighting planes, as Egypt, Cyprus, Greece, Croatia, and Italy dispatched backup aircraft to Israel, a day after the blazes devastated towns and forests.
Firefighters have been bracing for fresh wildfires today, with temperatures expected to soar across the country.
The first reports of renewed fires came this afternoon, when residents of Neguhot in the South Hebron Hills were evacuated by authorities after a wildfire threatened the settlement.
The Prime Minister thanked all of the countries for their help, singling out Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi for praise. He added: “We received additional offers, including from the PA and others” citing a number of countries, including Russia.
Adding to the fires are fears of more airborne arson attacks from Gaza, with Fridays seeing an increase in tensions along the border.
The village of Mevo Modiim, founded by musician Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach inside the Ben Shemen forest east of the Tel Aviv area, saw some of the worst damage.
