JERUSALEM: At least 150 people sustained burn injuries and above 80,000 flee from their homes as massive wildfires rage continued in Israel.
Haifa, the third largest city of Israel is under fire threat and thousands of people had been flee from the city. Experts said that the fire could engulf other cities. Hundreds of people were taken to the hospitals for smoke inhalation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he would work to strip residency from anyone found guilty of terrorism. He said that that some of the fires were the handiwork of ‘elements with great hostility towards Israel.
Strong winds and dry weather fuelled hundreds of fires across Israel and occupied Palestinian territory. Above 200 fires broke out across the West Bank on Friday, including 57 forest fires. Israeli police chief said that they had arrested 12 people in connection with the fire.
Haifa was the worst hit with several hundred homes affected by the fires, schools and other institutions remained closed.
Firefighting aircraft from Russia, Turkey, Greece, Italy and other countries were sent to help with the speeding fires. Palestine and Arab countries were also assisting Israel to extinguish the fire.
While Israeli settler leader Rabbi Elyakim Levanon said that fires were divine punishment.
