A massive fire broke out in the northern city of Kiryat Shmona on Monday, the 241st day of the ongoing war, as a result of rocket fire from Lebanon.
Dramatic scenes in Israel's north as Hezbollah just launched a kamikaze drone from Lebanon into the Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona.
Residential areas are on fire across the North of Israel, with huge fires erupting from bombs attached to the drones or falling debris.
Children… pic.twitter.com/TzzKJLBObY
— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) June 3, 2024
According to the Northern District Fire and Rescue Service, 14 firefighting teams from the Galilee-Golan station, reinforced by additional crews from the northern and coastal districts, have been working for over 5 hours to contain the blaze in the Ramin Ridge area.
אזעקות ממשיכות להישמע ביישובי הצפון כתוצאה משיגורי חיזבאללה - שריפה גדולה משתוללת כעת במרחב קרית שמונה כתוצאה מנפילה, ללא נפגעים. (מצורף בתיעוד) pic.twitter.com/aWlNh4KZLd
— מה חדש. What's new❓ (@Gloz111) June 3, 2024
After managing to control the fire along the line of houses in the community of Margaliot, the main effort was on Margaliot and Kiryat Shmona, where residents have been evacuated from their homes. "Firefighting crews are trying to gain control over the fire in the Ramin Ridge in the north," the Fire and Rescue Service stated, sharing footage of the massive flames.
הצפון הופקר!!!
קרית שמונה עולה בלהבות לאחר ירי של חזבאללה
האזרחים נמלטים pic.twitter.com/Zqhlc4w4jq— ידידיה אפשטיין (@yedidya_epstien) June 3, 2024
The fire erupted following rocket launches from Lebanon earlier in the day, which also prompted sirens in the nearby town of Metula. Amidst the escalating violence, one person was reported killed in a strike attributed to Israel in the Sidon area of Lebanon.
Meanwhile, as the war against Hamas continues in the Gaza Strip, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told Us Secretary of State Antony Blinken that Hamas will not be in control in Gaza "the day after," vowing that Israel will not stop its military campaign until all captives are returned and Hamas' rule is toppled.
Video: IDF takes out Hezbollah operatives / Credit: IDF
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry stated that "Hamas said it sees the proposal presented by Biden as positive. We are now waiting for Israel."
