ISRAEL ON FIRe
Israel is currently grappling with severe wildfires, particularly in the northern regions, exacerbated by rocket attacks from Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
🔥 Scale of the Fires
Recent Hezbollah rocket barrages have ignited extensive fires across northern Israel, burning thousands of acres of forested and open land. Notably, in June 2024, over 215 rockets and drones launched by Hezbollah set ablaze approximately 3,500 dunams (3.5 square kilometers) of forests in the Meron and Biriya areas. This attack was one of the largest since October 2023, following the death of a top Hezbollah commander in an Israeli airstrike .Anadolu Ajansı+3The Times of Israel+3Jerusalem Post+3The Times of Israel+2Anadolu Ajansı+2Jerusalem Post+2
In the Golan Heights, fires ignited by Hezbollah rockets have consumed around 2,500 acres of land, including significant portions of the Yehudiya Forest Nature Reserve. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority reports that recovery of these areas, especially popular tourist trails, will take several years .ynetnews+1The Times of Israel+1
Firefighters have been working tirelessly to control the blazes, often in challenging conditions. In some cases, fires have been burning for days, with even small blazes taking up to three days to extinguish due to the hot and dry weather .JNS.org
🚒 Emergency Response and Impact
Emergency services, including local firefighters and volunteers, have been actively engaged in firefighting efforts. In the Upper Galilee region, fires erupted in areas such as Keren Naftali, Birya Forest, and Margaliot following rocket fire from Hezbollah. Sixteen people suffered from smoke inhalation, and there was damage to a house and several warehouses .Anadolu Ajansı+1JNS.org+1
🌍 Environmental and Long-Term Effects
The extensive damage to forests and nature reserves is being described as one of the most significant natural disasters in Israel's history. Experts from the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) have stated that the recovery of these areas will take years, with some regions requiring extensive rehabilitation .ynetnews+2Jerusalem Post+2JNS.org+2
The ongoing conflict and the resulting fires highlight the complex challenges faced by northern Israel, where residents and emergency responders continue to battle both the immediate dangers of the fires and the longer-term environmental impacts.ynetnews+8Jerusalem Post+8JNS.org+8
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