Northern Israel battles fires sparked by Hezbollah attacks

Firefighters on Tuesday (June 4) battled blazes across northern Israel that continued to rage after being ignited the previous day by rockets and drones launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon.

The Israel Fire and Rescue Services statement said, “over 30 firefighting crews were working to put out the fires"which led to the closure of several major roads in the Galilee area.

In Kiryat Shmona, firefighters dispersed throughout the mostly evacuated city to control the flames and prevent them from reaching homes. The fire service earlier reported that several yards, pergolas, and the roof of at least one home were on fire.

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In Kibbutz Kfar GIladi, a video shared on social media showed a local security team battling flames encroaching on the community.

Notably, the fire service said the blazes had raged for over 13 hours, while noting the intense heatwave blanketing the affected areas.

According to the Israel Defense Forces, it was assisting in the firefighting efforts, adding that six reservists lightly hurt from smoke inhalation were taken to a hospital.

Five citizens who were slightly hurt from smoke inhalation, were treated at Ziv Medical Center in Safed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement sayingthe premier held areview with senior security officials “about the developments in northern Israel” and was updated about the firefighting efforts.

The fires erupted amid escalating cross-border skirmishes between Israel and Hezbollah, with the Iran-backed militant group launching numerous barrages at the Galilee and Golan Heights in recent days.

According to the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, a series of rocket and drone attacks on Sunday sparked bushfires that consumed 10,000 dunams (over 2,470 acres) of foliage in open areas, including nature reserves.

It is worth mentioning here thatsince October 8, Hezbollah-led forces have attacked Israel along the border on a near-daily basis, with the group saying it is doing so to support Gaza amid the war there.

So far, the fight on the border hasresulted in 10 civilian deaths on the Israeli side, as well as the deaths of 14 IDF soldiers and reservists. There have also been several attacks from Syria, without any injuries.

However, Hezbollah has named 328 members who have been killed by Israel during the ongoing conflict. In Lebanon, another 62 operatives from other terror groups, a Lebanese soldier, and dozens of civilians have been killed.

Israel has expressed willingness to pursue a diplomatic solution to the conflict, but has warned of the possibility of going to war against Hezbollah to restore security in the north, where tens of thousands of civilians are currently displaced.

(With inputs from agencies)