Major forest fires in Israel are still not extinguished. "This is one of the largest fires in the history of Israel. To date, more than 2,000 hectares of forest area have been burned, and at least 12 people have been injured. The army is also being used to extinguish the fire," the Times of Israel publication reported.
According to reports, 18 people have been arrested on suspicion of deliberately starting the fires. However, the main causes are being pointed to the abundance of dry grass and the effects of the winds.
Decision-makers in the Israeli government are being accused of not adequately assessing the fire risk in the country and failing to take necessary measures in time. These criticisms have intensified against the backdrop of recent fires around Jerusalem. In particular, a nearly 30 percent deficit in local fire stations, firefighters, and specialized equipment has been noted.
It was previously revealed that the Jewish state had even been forced to seek international assistance. This request for help was later retracted from France. The reason behind this was French President Emmanuel Macron's promise to recognize Palestine as a state.
Despite the Israeli army's violent operations in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, even the Palestinian Authority led by Mahmoud Abbas has offered its assistance in extinguishing the fires.
Abdulloh Sayyid
