The Israeli police evacuated several towns close to Jerusalem, on Wednesday, with forest fires rapidly in the region, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to consider the request for Greece’s assistance.
The police and Israeli media said that towns located about 20 km west of Jerusalem had been evacuated, while firefighting teams were quick to contain fires.
Speaking from the national firefighting service, Netanyahu gave directives to officials to open a communication channel with Greece and other countries if the need is required to request international assistance.
“We don’t know how these fires will develop,” Netanyahu said, calling for strict measures to extinguish them.
He added: “Simply cannot reach” Jerusalem.
He continued: “Of course, we defend the societies in the city,” saying that he “will prepare reserves from other countries such as Greece.”
Greece faced a series of destroyed forest fires last year, including a huge fire that forced thousands to flee from their homes and arrived on the outskirts of Athens before controlling it.
The fire broke out near Jerusalem on Wednesday morning in forest areas amid a severe free wave.
France -Presse footage showed a plane that drops water and flame -pistled materials on the area in an attempt to prevent fires from spreading.
Forest fires pose a threat in Israel during severe heat periods.
