Fatalities in huge forest fire in Israel

Sad news, hope they get it under control and it turns out to have been just an accident.

It's interesting that Turkey wasn't asked to help.....

Greece has sent 5 helicopters

Authorities are asking for young physically fit people to lend a hand. Here's the telephone number to call if you wish to help: 0508818205

There's irony: Greece sending helicopters to put out flames in Israel during Chanukah

But seriously, this is dreadful. A whole group of prison guard trainees perished in the fire when their bus got caught up in the inferno, and the commander of Haifa Police is in what the Israelis describe as matzav anoush (worse than a critical condition, perhaps).
This year, because of practically three years of drought, Israel has seen massive forest fires around Jerusalem, in the Galil and on the Golan. Hundreds of thousands of acres of forests have been destroyed. It'll take years to replace the trees.

It's interesting that Turkey wasn't asked to help.....

The Turks suggested a flotilla with peace activists on board. Israel declined.

The fire is an accident, it seems. The dry autumn does not help.

http://muqata.blogspot.com/2010/12/raging-fire-in-northern-israel-causes...

Updates here

I think the Turks have sent an aircraft. Our hearts must go out to the families of the victims.

A terrible tragedy. Our hearts go out to the families.

According to the Jerusalem Post, assistance is being sent from Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and Spain.

Latest list of international assistance:
4 planes from France.
4 planes from Greece.
2 planes from Croatia.
3 planes from Russia.
2 planes from Turkey
2 planes from Azerbeyjan.
helicopter from Cyprus.
Spain is sending help, so is Egypt and Jordan.

Haven't heard of any assistance from Britain..

Thanks Jonathan. I've read on Cifwatch that Spain is also sending 4 planes, and Bulgaria, 50 firefighters. Apparently, there are only 1500 firefighters in the whole of Israel, and they've run out of flame retardant chemicals.

I am pleased to report that the UK is sending planes

Individuals are invited to donate to JNF and Magen David Adom

You can donate online here:

http://www.ukmda.org/donate/

http://www.jnf.co.uk/donate.html

"In a press conference held after an emergency cabinet meeting in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu mentioned Greek Prime Minister George Papandreaus, who he called a “real friend,” as well as Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and Russian Prime Minister Vladmir Putin. "

http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=197831

I see the Palestinian Authority is helping by sending a few fire fighting teams. And Netanyahu has personally thanked the Turks.