Firefighters on Tuesday were able to gain control of the fires that broke in in northern Israel, near Amiad, after over 9 hours of battling the blaze.
It took 18 teams of firefighters from the northern, coastal and central districts to gain control of the fire, in addition to forces from the Israel Defense Forces, KKL-JNF, and the Israel Police.
Firefighters also gained control of the fires in Kiryat Shmona and Kfar Giladi. However four teams are still working to control the fire in the Naftali Ridge.
These fires were caused as a result of dozens of launches from Hezbollah. Fires have been spreading since Monday afternoon, with the hot and dry weather making any impact a possibility to start another fire.
30 launches were detected on Monday afternoon crossing from Lebanon towards northern Golan Heights, and these fell in open areas. Additionally, air defense soldiers intercepted an unmanned aircraft carrying explosives that crossed from Lebanon near the Naftali Ridge area.
Unfortunately, another explosive drone that crossed from Lebanon was not intercepted and fell in the area, and, an explosive drone that crossed from Lebanon fell in the Metula area.
Later, another alert was activated in the north of the country, as a suspicious ariel target was spotted over Israeli territory. Interceptors were launched towards the target, and Baruch Hashem, no injuries were reported.
Severe air pollution is noticeable throughout the upper Galil area due to all the fires. Due to the fires, the few residents who remained in Kiryat Shmona have been forced to evacuate.
District Commander Sub-Commissioner Yair Lakim said: “We will stay here until we control the fire and protect the residents’ homes. We will fight for every house. We will work non-stop until we put out the fire.”
The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit stated: “Over the past few hours, the IDF has been conducting a situational assessment with Israel Fire and Rescue Services to allocate additional means, forces, and firefighting capabilities in order to extinguish the fires in northern Israel.”
“At this stage, IDF reserve soldiers, engineer tools, mechanical equipment, fire trucks, and fire tanks were reinforced. An IDF Home Front Command’s fire battalion is currently operating at the scene and assisting fire and rescue forces.”
“The forces gained control over the locations of fire, and at this stage, no human life is at risk. The Commanding Officer of the Northern Command is currently arriving at the Kiryat Shmona Fire Station.”
The IDF announced that six IDF reservist soldiers were lightly injured as a result of smoke inhalation and transferred to a hospital to receive medical treatment. Their families have been notified.
The Ziv Hospital in Tzfas said an additional 5 civilians were brought to the hospital as a result of the fire near Amiad.
“These are minor injuries as a result of smoke inhalation. The injured are undergoing a series of tests and will be released later.”
On Tuesday morning, the hospital updated that a total of 16 individuals, seven reservists and nine civilians, were brought to the hospital in light condition.
The Prime Minister’s Office said that Prime Minister Netanyahu held a situational assessment with the heads of the security services regarding the developments in the north of the country.
It continued saying that Netanyahu “received a snapshot of the activity to extinguish the fires from the National Fire and Rescue Authority.”
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir responded, “What is happening now in the north is moral bankruptcy. Reckless management by the Concept Cabinet, a direct continuation of the policy of containment and proportionality, a policy that directly led to October 7. Instead of bowing down to Hamas, it is time for all of Lebanon to burn.”
Opposition leader Yair Lapid reacted, saying: “The north is going up in flames and Israeli deterrence is burning with it. The government has no plan for the day after in Gaza, no plan to return the residents to the north, no management, no strategy. A fully reckless government.”
{Matzav.com}
