In Israel, large -scale forest fires

Several communities are evacuated, the country's main highway is blocked. There are suspicions of arson

Residents of the central and southern regions of Israel were called to evacuate against the background of the distribution of forest fires on April 30, reports The Jerusalem Post. The city of Elad is partially evacuated due to fires that threaten its eastern outskirts. Several fires continue on the outskirts of Jerusalem.

Some roads in the country are blocked. Among them is highway 1-the main highway of Israel, which connects Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Firefighters and rescuers evacuated drivers. Other motorists threw cars on the road, fleeing the fire. The Israeli railways suspended the movement of trains, including between Jerusalem and Modenin, from Ben-Gurion Airport to Jerusalem, as well as in the Ashdod region.

In the National Medical Service, Magen David ADU (MADA) reported that at least 13 people were hospitalized as a result of fires in the Jerusalem mountains. In particular, the hospitals were two pregnant women and two babies. Basically in injured burns or carbon monoxide poisoning. Another 10 people turned to the ambulance for help, but they did not need hospitalization.

119 fire combustions, 10 fire aircraft and a helicopter participate in the extinguishing of fires. The police, military and volunteers were also attracted to the fight against fire. Israeli authorities turned to international assistance to at least five countries: Greece, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy and Cyprus. It is expected that she will arrive on May 1. The assistance of other countries is also discussed. The Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu goes to the fire area. Events on Independence Day are canceled throughout the country.

The head of the fire and rescue service of Jerusalem Shmulik Friedman said that fires may be the largest in the history of Israel. According to him, the fire, which began in the morning in the area of ​​Mesylate Cion, spread to the west due to the wind, but then changed the direction and began to spread east. In the evening, firefighters expect wind strengthening to 25-28 meters per second. The situation is also exacerbated by severe heat.

When asked about the reasons, Friedman replied: “At present, we do not know what caused the fire, we have absolutely no ideas, and we are not doing this yet.”

It is assumed that the cause of some fires could be arson. Telegram channels associated with the Hamas terrorist group distributed calls to arrange arson in Jerusalem and the western coast, writes The Jerusalem Post. According to the N12 television channel, three suspects were arrested on suspicion that they arranged arson in the forests around Jerusalem and in the central regions of Israel.

The police announced the detention of a 50-year-old resident of Eastern Jerusalem, suspected of arson. With him, they found a lighter, cotton wool and “flammable materials”. It is unclear whether it is among the detainees that N12 reported.

The general security service of Israel, Shabak, participates in the investigation of fires in the Jerusalem area and helps the police in the search for persons who could cause some fires.