Netanyahu appeals to multiple countries for help in fighting fire

Prime Minister Netanyahu has launched an international effort to fight the raging fires throughout Israel, appealing to European part of the eastern Mediterranean to provide assistance, according to a statement released today (Wednesday).

According to the statement:

"Following an urgent operational need defined by the Fire and Rescue Commissioner, Prime Minister Netanyahu instructed the National Security Council to lead an international assistance effort with firefighting aircraft, in cooperation with the Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reached out to countries in the immediate vicinity, including Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Italy, and Bulgaria.

"The Ministry of National Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Fire Department are coordinating the reception of assistance according to updated situation assessments. All relevant bodies are working to ensure international assistance arrives as soon as possible. Due to limitations of firefighting aircraft in night flights, international assistance is expected to begin operating starting tomorrow.

"At the same time, the local aerial array will be activated gradually according to capabilities, operational considerations, and availability. Currently, aircraft from the "Elad" squadron and Israeli Police helicopters are operating in the field, while the Air Force is preparing for immediate operational assistance."

Channel 12 reporter Amit Segal reports that firefighting aircraft coming from neighboring countries are expected to only arrive tomorrow due to the limitations on night flying for such aircraft.