Fire in Haifa, Israel Controlled; 12 Arrested on Arson Charges

Israeli firefighters finally managed to control a fire in the city of Haifa on Friday, December 5, but wildfires in other areas of Israel continue after four days. The Associated Press reported that around 60,000 people have left their homes due to these fires and have not yet returned. Police forces maintain a heavy presence in Haifa, as there is still a risk of renewed fires due to drought and strong winds. The report states that although there have been no fatalities from the fires, dozens of police officers have been hospitalized due to smoke inhalation. Meanwhile, hundreds of homes have been destroyed or damaged. On Thursday, the Israeli government called on reserve army forces to assist firefighters and police. Other countries also sent firefighting planes to help Israel. Despite this, more than ten other locations in Israel are still burning. On Friday, an Israeli police spokesperson announced that a small village in the forests surrounding Jerusalem was evacuated overnight, with several homes in that village catching fire. Israeli security forces have arrested a total of 12 individuals on charges of arson. Officials in the country have suggested that Arab attackers may have deliberately started the fire. The fires began four days ago in the village of Oaseh al-Salam near Jerusalem, an area where Israelis and Arabs live together. The fire then spread to the Zichron Yaakov area, 35 kilometers from Haifa, Israel's third-largest city, and eventually reached Haifa. Six years ago, Israel experienced a massive fire that was unprecedented in the country's history, lasting four days and resulting in 42 deaths.