Firefighting crews worked overnight to extinguish the fires that broke out Monday night following a barrage of rockets fired toward the Upper Galilee towns and the Galilee Panhandle. After more than 9 hours, the firefighting teams gained control over the fire that erupted near Amiad. Eighteen firefighting teams from the northern, coastal, and central districts worked to gain control of the fire alongside forces from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, the IDF, and the Israel Police. At first light, 4 planes from the "Elad" aerial firefighting squadron were dispatched to assist the firefighting teams in gaining control of the fire.
Video: Fires in northern Israel / Credit: Fire and Rescue Services
In Kiryat Shmona and Kfar Giladi, operations were carried out throughout the night to extinguish and contain the fire along the line of houses. The emergency teams of Kfar Giladi assisted the forces and prevented the fire from spreading into the homes.
11 injured from smoke inhalation during firefighting efforts
Fires began to break out Monday in northern towns following rocket launches from Lebanon. During the night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a situational assessment on the matter with security officials and the National Fire and Rescue Authority. During the firefighting efforts, in which IDF forces also participated, 11 people were hurt from smoke inhalation: six reserve soldiers and five civilians. They were evacuated for medical treatment at Ziv Hospital in Safed.
Opposition leader and minister criticize government's handling of the situation
More than 34 firefighting teams operated in various areas in the north. Opposition Leader Yair Lapid referred to the fires, 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 bring the residents back to the north, no management, no strategy. A government of abandonment to the fullest."
