Thousands in northern Israel evacuated as fires spread

By Anees Barghouti

JERUSALEM

Israeli police on Thursday ordered the evacuation of 12 neighborhoods in Haifa as result of wildfires that recently broke out in several parts of the country.

According to Israeli Channel 2, at least 60,000 people were evacuated from their houses in the northern Israeli city of Haifa.

Israel's Magen David Adom paramedic service in statement said that at least 107 Israelis had been reported injured, 17 of whom suffered from smoke inhalation and were evacuated to Carmel Hospital in northern Israel.

Israeli police said that the fire raging around Haifa was ignited deliberately and simultaneously in at least five locations.

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan on Wednesday was quoted by Israeli media as saying that some of the fires started around the country are believed to be the result of arson.

Earlier on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Turkey for sending specialized aircraft to help put out a rash of wildfires that recently broke out in several parts of the country.

Greece, Croatia, Italy, the Greek Cypriot administration and Russia have also all offered to send a combined total of 10 planes to help extinguish the fires.