November 2016 Israel fires

{{Short description|Series of fires in Israel in November 2016}} {{Infobox wildfire | title = November 2016 Israel fires | image = Haifa on fire.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = CL-415 aircraft of the Hellenic Air Force helping in the fight against the fires in Haifa. | location = Various regions in Israel, mainly in Haifa, Judaean Mountains and the Sharon Plain. | coordinates = {{coord|32.772082|35.018761}} | reference = <!-- or: | references = --> | cost = {{Currency|500 million|ILS}} | date = {{Start and end date|2016|11|22|2016|11|27|df=yes}} | time = | time-begin = | time-end = | timezone = | area = {{convert|30,000-41,000|dunam}} | cause = Arson, negligence, weather conditions | landuse = Residential; Open space | buildings = {{ubl|575+ homes|1 commercial property}} | injuries = {{ubl|180+ civilians}} | fatalities = | perps = | motive = | pushpin_map = Israel haifa | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = }}

In November 2016, a wave of wildfires and urban fires occurred in Israel from Beersheva in the south to Nahariya in the north.<ref name="kklforstfiremap">{{Cite web|url=http://www.kkl.org.il/afforestation-and-environment/srefot-yaar/november-2016-fires/fire-events-november-2016/|title = 26-22 בנובמבר 2016: סיכום אירועי השריפות ברחבי הארץ}}</ref><ref name="ynetstatisticsday5">{{cite news|last1=Friedson|first1=Yael|last2=Rabad|first2=Ahia|title=חמישה ימי אש: כ-180 נפגעים, יותר מ-560 דירות נשרפו, כ-30 עצורים [Five days of fire: about 180 hurt, more than 560 apartments destroyed, 30 suspects arrested|url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4884631,00.html|work=Ynet|date=27 November 2016|language=Hebrew}}</ref> Some of the fires occurred naturally; others were arson attacks.<ref name="WootliffArson">{{cite news|last1=Wootliff|first1=Raoul|title=Heralding state compensation, arson confirmed in several major fires|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/heralding-compensation-israel-confirms-arson-in-several-major-fires/|access-date=30 November 2016|publisher=Times of Israel|date=29 November 2016}}</ref> On November 28, after eight days of fire fighting, the firefighting services announced that the emergency condition was over. Firefighters fought 1,773 fires, at least 39 were reported as major fires that required at least ten crews or more.<ref name="haaretz28no">{{cite news|last1=Kubovich|first1=Yaniv|title=Firefighting services go back to normal, after over 1,700 fires in 8 days|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/LIVE-1.755044/701466099|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129110017/http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/LIVE-1.755044/701466099|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 29, 2016|work=Haaretz|date=28 November 2016}}</ref> The largest fire occurred in Haifa, where 527 apartments were destroyed among 77 buildings, leaving 1,600 people homeless.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rabad|first1=Ahia|title=חיפה: 527 דירות אינן ראויות למגורים, יותר מ-1,600 דיירים נותרו ללא בית [Haifa: 527 apartments not habitable, more than 1,600 homeless]|url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4884530,00.html|work=Ynet|date=27 November 2016|language=Hebrew}}</ref> Some 75,000 residents, about a quarter of the city's population, were evacuated from eleven neighborhoods.<ref name="75000haaretz">{{cite news|last1=Winer|first1=Straut|last2=Rabinowitz|first2=Gavin|title=Israelis reach out to Haifa's 75,000 fire-ravaged homeless|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/israelis-reach-out-to-haifas-75000-fire-ravaged-homeless/|work=Times of Israel|date=24 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="newyorktimes">{{cite news|last1=Kershner|first1=Isabel|title=As Wildfires Rage, Israel Suggests Arson and Asks for Foreign Help|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/24/world/middleeast/israel-fires.html?_r=0|work=New York Times|date=24 November 2016}}</ref> Other major fires occurred in Zikhron Ya'akov and in the Jerusalem area, as well as smaller fires throughout Israel and the West Bank. Israel's Nature and Parks Authority reported that more than {{convert|20,000|dunam|acre}} of forests, brush land, and open space were burnt, the largest amount since the 2010 Mount Carmel forest fire.<ref name="statisticshaaretz">{{cite news|last1=Rinat|first1=Zafrir|title=Israeli Blazes Damage Almost as Much Land as 2010 Carmel Fire|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2016-11-27/ty-article/.premium/israeli-blazes-damage-almost-as-much-land-as-2010-carmel-fire/0000017f-e982-d62c-a1ff-fdfbcea60000|work=Haaretz|date=27 November 2016}}</ref>

While most of the fires were caused by weather conditions and negligence, some of the fires were caused by arsonists suspected of being nationally motivated Arabs. Two Arab citizens of Israel confessed they deliberately set fires. At least 35 people were arrested on suspicion of setting fires or inciting to do so. More than 15 were citizens of the Palestinian Authority and at least 10 were Arab citizens of Israel. Officials in Israel have stated that the deliberate setting of fires is a form of terrorism.<ref>{{cite news|title=2 Israeli Arabs confess to starting wildfires — report|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/2-israeli-arabs-confess-to-starting-wildfires-report/|work=Times of Israel|date=27 November 2016}}</ref> As of November 28, at least 25 fires were suspected to have been caused by arson.<ref name="haaretz28no"/>

On January 13, 2017, the Israeli fire investigation's "Gal Report" found that of 80 fires, 71 resulted from arson.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.maariv.co.il/news/israel/Article-570132|title = דוח גל השריפות קובע: כמעט כל השריפות שנחקרו נגרמו מהצתה| date=13 January 2017 }}</ref> On April 4, 2017, the head of the Israeli fire investigation unit declared: "The fires were acts of terrorism committed by members of the Arab population against the Jewish population. Ninety percent of the fires were caused by arson."<ref name="midaapril">{{cite news|url=http://mida.org.il/2017/04/04/%d7%a8%d7%90%d7%a9-%d7%9e%d7%97%d7%9c%d7%a7%d7%aa-%d7%97%d7%a7%d7%99%d7%a8%d7%95%d7%aa-%d7%91%d7%9b%d7%99%d7%91%d7%95%d7%99-%d7%90%d7%a9-%d7%a9%d7%95%d7%91%d7%a8-%d7%a9%d7%aa%d7%99%d7%a7%d7%94/|work=mida|date=4 April 2017|title=ראש מחלקת חקירות בכיבוי אש שובר שתיקה: "השריפות בנובמבר – טרור"}}</ref>

== Background == The fires came after two months of drought in the area. Regions of Jerusalem and the West Bank were also affected.<ref name="BBC_24Nov16" /> Officials identify "extreme weather", including high temperatures and dry winds, as helping fires spread.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/israel-wildfires-50000-evacuated-bushfires-hit-haifa-2450958 |title=Israel Wildfires: 50,000 Evacuated As Bushfires Hit Haifa |website=International Business Times |date=24 November 2016}}</ref>

== Fires ==

=== Haifa === thumb|Fires in Haifa as seen from space on 24 November 2016 thumb|Great fire in Haifa, 24 November 2016 [[File:The fire destroyed Ramas Kitchen Restaurant.jpg|thumb|Burnt restaurant in Nataf, 25 November 2016.]] Fires in Haifa occurred in dozens of areas and consumed buildings in five locations. Some 75,000 residents of 11 neighborhoods were evacuated by firefighters and the search and rescue Kedem Battalion of the Home Front Command. Two schools were evacuated: Fichman School and Reali (Beit Biram), while there was a fire burning inside Beit Biram itself. At 17:08 (ISTׁ) it was reported that 163 people were injured<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ashkenazi|first1=Eli|last2=Blumenfeld|first2=Revital|title=מניין נפגעי העשן בשריפות בחיפה עלה ל-163|url=http://news.walla.co.il/item/3016696|work=Walla!|date=25 November 2016|language=Hebrew}}</ref> including three children and a 6-month-old baby, mainly from smoke inhalation. One woman was moderately injured.<ref name=75000haaretz/><ref name=haaretzinjured>{{cite news|title=At least 132 injured in Haifa fire|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/LIVE-1.755044|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124113753/http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/LIVE-1.755044|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 24, 2016|work=Haaretz|date=24 November 2016}}</ref> 350 firefighters and 115 firefighting vehicles operated in the city.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rabad|first1=Ahia|title=חיפה: 350 כבאים ו-115 רכבי כיבוי פועלים בכיבוי השריפות בעיר [Haifa: 350 firefighters and 115 firefighting vehicles are operating to stop the fires across the city]|url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4883908,00.html|work=Ynet|date=24 November 2016|language=Hebrew}}</ref> Three residents were detained by police forces under suspicion of arson after being spotted near one of the epicenters. The fire calmed down in the night between November 24 and 25<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hasson|first1=Nir|last2=Shpigel|first2=Noa|title=Homes ignite in fire near Jerusalem, blaze in Haifa calms|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/LIVE-1.755044/israel-fire-jerusalem-homes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125094828/http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/LIVE-1.755044/israel-fire-jerusalem-homes|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 25, 2016|work=Haaretz|date=25 November 2016}}</ref> and residents were allowed to return home in the afternoon of November 25 while fires were still raging outside the city.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Shpigel|first1=Noa|title=Police: All evacuees from Haifa may return home|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/LIVE-1.755044/israel-fire-haifa-evacuated-return|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126004149/http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/LIVE-1.755044/israel-fire-haifa-evacuated-return|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 26, 2016|work=Haaretz|date=25 November 2016}}</ref>

The estimated cost of damages from the fire in Haifa was 500 million New Israeli Shekels.<ref name="i24">{{cite news|title=As fires rage, Israeli lawmaker says arsonists should be treated as terrorists|url=http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/131057-161126-live-blog-two-critically-injured-in-apartment-fire-on-fifth-day-of-blazes|work=i24 News|date=26 November 2016}}</ref>

=== Zikhron Ya'akov === The fires in Zikhron Ya'akov started on November 22 in the Givat Eden neighborhood in the northern part of the town as a result of arson.<ref name="haaretzzickhron"/> Eight people, including two children and a 10-day-old infant were treated for smoke inhalation. Thirty homes were burnt<ref name="haaretzzickhron"/> and at least ten homes were destroyed. Several roads were closed, including Highway 4 and Highway 70.<ref>{{cite news|title=Roads closed due to Zichron Yaakov fire|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/374249|work=Arutz Sheva|date=22 November 2016}}</ref> Residents of Givat Eden and the surrounding areas were told to shut their gas lines and were evacuated.<ref>{{cite news|title=Numerous homes destroyed as major blaze hits Zichron Yaakov|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/homes-damaged-as-blaze-encroaches-on-zichron-yaakov/|work=Times of Israel|date=22 November 2016}}</ref> Residents were allowed to return after 29 hours of fighting, except those whose houses were damaged by the fire.<ref name="timeofisraelzikhron">{{cite news|title=Zichron Yaakov, Gilon fires under control; police up patrols amid arson fears|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/zichron-gilon-fires-under-control-police-up-patrols-amid-arson-fears/|work=Times of Israel|date=23 November 2016}}</ref> Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said evidence was found indicating that the initial fire was the result of arson involving gasoline.<ref name="haaretzzickhron">{{cite news|title=Public security minister: Evidence found that original fire was arson|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/LIVE-1.755044/israel-fire-arson-erdan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126002758/http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/LIVE-1.755044/israel-fire-arson-erdan|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 26, 2016|work=Haaretz|date=25 November 2016}}</ref>

=== Judaean mountains === Two fires erupted near Nataf. The first occurred on November 23 when a small fire lit by road workers to make coffee quickly spread through the wadi between Har Haruah and Har Rafid, one kilometer east of Nataf. The residents of Nataf were evacuated to the nearby community of Yad Hashmona. The fire burned one house completely and caused damage to several others. Two days later, a second fire started in Wadi Kefira below Kibbutz Ma'aleh Hahamisha and quickly spread westward. It burnt the restaurant, Rama's Kitchen<ref>{{Cite web |title=Landmark restaurant Rama's Kitchen a victim of Nataf fire |date=26 November 2016 |url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Landmark-restaurant-Ramas-Kitchen-a-victim-of-Nataf-fire-473724}}</ref> and {{convert|25000|dunam|acre}} in the Kefira nature reserve that surrounds Nataf. Residents were again evacuated and sheltered in the community center of the neighboring Arab village, Abu Ghosh. Firefighters from the Palestinian Authority joined the local residents and the Israel Fire and Rescue Services. A fire-fighting super tanker from the USA joined the fight by spraying water over the burning area.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gabbert |first=Bill |date=November 26, 2016 |title=747 Supertanker drops on a fire in Israel |url=https://fireaviation.com/2016/11/26/747-supertanker-drops-on-a-fire-in-israel/ |website=Fire Aviation}}</ref> After the second fire, remains of Molotov cocktails were found near the separation barrier and a Palestinian from the West Bank was arrested on suspicion of arson.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gross |first=Judah Ari |date=November 30, 2016 |title=Palestinian arrested in connection with Nataf fire |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-arrested-in-connection-with-nataf-fire/ |website=Times of Israel}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yanovsky |first=Roi |date=November 30, 2016 |title=פרסום ראשון: נעצר פלסטיני בחשד שגרם לשריפת הענק בנטף |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4886456,00.html |website=Ynet}}</ref>

On November 25, a fire erupted around 02:00 (IST) next to Beit Meir. The residents, including 300 people who were staying at the guest house, were evacuated, mostly to the nearby community of Shoresh. Some houses were damaged. Twenty-five firefighting crews extinguished the flames shortly before 05:30. The police conducted search operations to find the cause of the fire. Residents reported they saw several people fleeing the area after the fire began to spread.<ref name="shevakiryatgat" /><ref>{{cite news|last1=Benari|first1=Elad|title=Town near Jerusalem evacuated as fires continue to rage|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/220819|work=Arutz Sheva|date=25 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Yanovski|first1=Roi|title=פרסום ראשון: נעצר פלסטיני בחשד שגרם לשריפת הענק בנטף [Palestinian arrested for causing the huge fire in Nataf]|url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4886456,00.html|work=Ynet|date=30 November 2016|language=Hebrew}}</ref>

=== Halamish === Fires erupted on the eve of November 25 and consumed large parts of Halamish and the surrounding forest. About 40 houses were set ablaze, of which 15 were burnt to the ground.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4884417,00.html|title = ליל בלהות בחלמיש: "בתים בערו וקרסו באפקט דומינו"|newspaper = Ynet|date = 26 November 2016|last1 = אפרים|first1 = עומרי}}</ref> The fire was the result of arson by Palestinians and was denounced by Israeli ministers as "terrorism of fire".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4884772,00.html|title = בנט בחלמיש: "מחבלי אש רצו להרוג יישוב בישראל"|newspaper = Ynet|date = 27 November 2016}}</ref>

=== Other fires === *Ein Tamar – fire erupted in a thorn field near the moshav. Four firefighting crews were sent.<ref>{{cite news|title=שריפת קוצים במושב עין תמר שבערבה, 4 צוותי כיבוי במקום [Thorn fire in moshav Ein Tamar in the Arava, 4 firefighting crews in the area]|url=http://www.inn.co.il/News/Flash.aspx/549353|work=Arutz Sheva|date=23 November 2016}}</ref> *Dvir – fire erupted at the Dvira forest near the kibbutz.<ref name=nana10>{{cite news|last1=Levi|first1=Eli|last2=Eli|first2=Yossi|last3=Elroi|first3=Hilla|title=שריפה משתוללת בחיפה: שכונות שלמות פונו, עשרות נפגעו משאיפת עשן [Fire blazing in Haifa: entire neighborhoods were evacuated; doznes hurt from smoke inhalation|url=http://news.nana10.co.il/Article/?ArticleID=1220244|work=Nana 10|date=24 November 2016|language=Hebrew|access-date=25 November 2016|archive-date=26 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126064350/http://news.nana10.co.il/Article/?ArticleID=1220244|url-status=dead}}</ref> *Lakhish – fire erupted in the Lakhish forest near the moshav.<ref name=nana10/> *Kiryat Gat – fires erupted at two points near the Kiryat Gat intersection in the morning of November 25. The main road in the city was closed and trains were canceled.<ref name=shevakiryatgat>{{cite news|last1=Baruch|first1=Uzi|title=אש בקריית גת, סריקות אחר חשודים [Fire in Kiryat Gat, searches for suspects]|url=http://www.inn.co.il/News/News.aspx/334369|work=Arutz Sheva|date=25 November 2016|language=Hebrew}}</ref> *Dolev – The first fire in the Israeli settlement of Dolev in the West Bank started on November 22 and damaged three caravans in the northernmost neighborhood. Twenty homes were temporarily evacuated as 68 firefighters, assisted by volunteers, worked to extinguish the fire over night.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Piotrokovsky|first1=Shlomo|title=Dolev fire extinguished; Zichron Yaakov fire resumes|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/220697|work=Arutz Sheva|date=22 November 2016}}</ref> Investigation revealed that the fire was caused by arson.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Senyor|first1=Eli|title=Fire & Rescue Authority suspects arson in four of the fires in Haifa|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4883851,00.html|work=Ynet|date=24 November 2016}}</ref> *Talmon – the first fire in Talmon started on November 23 and several neighborhoods were evacuated.<ref>http://news.walla.co.il/?w=//3016124 (Hebrew)</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mako.co.il/news-israel/local-q4_2016/Article-cceb805bbff8851004.htm|title=N12 - גל השריפות - דקה אחר דקה|date=23 November 2016}}</ref> *Gilon – fires started on November 22 and caused 80 residents to be evacuated. Three houses were damaged and electricity was temporarily cut. The fire was brought under control after several hours.<ref name="timeofisraelzikhron"/> *Kabul and Tamra – fire erupted between the two Arab towns in northern Israel during the night of November 24.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fire breaks out in the Galilee|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/374507|work=Arutz Sheva|date=24 November 2016}}</ref> *Har Halutz – fire erupted near the communal settlement on November 24 and was extinguished in the early morning hours of November 25. The entire community was evacuated during the fire and six houses were damaged.<ref name="arutz725">{{cite news|last1=Benari|first1=Elad|title=MainAll NewsInside IsraelTown near Jerusalem evacuated as fires continue to rage Town near Jerusalem evacuated as fires continue to rage|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/220819|work=Arutz Sheva|date=25 November 2016}}</ref> *Iksal and Nazareth Illit – fire erupted between the Arab town and the mixed city on November 24.<ref name="arutz725"/> *Ka'abiyye – fire erupted near the Arab town. Five houses were evacuated in a precautionary step.<ref name="arutz725"/> *Ya'ad – fire erupted near the moshav on November 25. Residents of 15 houses were evacuated until the fires were extinguished in the afternoon.<ref>{{cite news|title=יום רביעי לגל השריפות: דליקות בגליל [Fourth day to the fire wave: blazes in the Galilee|url=http://www.mako.co.il/news-israel/local-q4_2016/Article-510f78653899851004.htm|work=Channel 2|date=25 November 2016|language=Hebrew}}</ref> *Geulim – fire erupted near the moshav on November 25 causing no damage.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ben Zur|first1=Ra'anan|title=שריפת קוצים פרצה סמוך למושב גאולים שבשרון [Brushfire erupted near Geulim in the Sharon Plain]|url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4884279,00.html|work=Ynet|date=25 November 2016|language=Hebrew}}</ref> *Binyamina – fire erupted next to the town. One man in his forties was injured by smoke inhalation.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gabai|first1=Shlomi|title=השריפה בבנימינה: תושב המקום נפגע קל משאיפת עשן|url=http://news.walla.co.il/item/3016816|work=Walla!|date=25 November 2016|language=Hebrew}}</ref> *Harashim – fire erupted in the communal settlement on November 25 and was extinguished on November 26. Residents of the southern part of Harashim were evacuated during the fire.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rabad|first1=Ahia|title=שריפה ביישוב חרשים שבצפון, תושבים פונו מבתיהם|url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4884215,00.html|work=Ynet|date=25 November 2016|language=Hebrew}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Rabad|first1=Ahia|title=כוחות הכיבוי השיגו שליטה על השריפה בחרשים שבגליל|url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4884438,00.html|work=Ynet|date=26 November 2016|language=Hebrew}}</ref> *Daliyat al-Karmel – fire erupted in the Druze town on November 25 and was extinguished by six firefighter crews.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ashkenazi|first1=Eli|title=הושגה שליטה על השריפה בסמוך לדליית אל כרמל|url=http://news.walla.co.il/item/3016965|work=Walla!|date=26 November 2016|language=Hebrew}}</ref>

== Arson == Initially, some of the fires were suspected to have been caused by arsonists.<ref name="BBC_24Nov16" /><ref name="jpostsuspected">{{cite news|title=Israel in flames: Suspects detained for arson; 60,000 evacuated from Haifa|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Fires-continue-to-rage-across-Israel-473517|work=Jerusalem Post|date=24 November 2016}}</ref> The Israel Police commissioner Roni Alsheikh and the Israel Security Agency announced that the arsons were "likely nationalistically motivated" and that suspects were arrested.<ref name="jpostsuspected" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Police commissioner: Arson likely nationalistically motivated; arrests were made|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4883895,00.html|work=Ynet|date=24 November 2016}}</ref>

Gilad Erdan, Israel's public security minister, told Army Radio that the professional assessment was that almost half the fires were the result of arson. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attributed the fires to "natural and unnatural" causes and said that "any fire caused by arson or incitement to arson is terrorism in every sense of the word, and we will treat it as such."<ref name="newyorktimes" />

== Investigation == Following the fires, the Israeli fire investigation unit began investigating the events.

On November 30, early investigation led to the statement that most of the fires were arson attacks.<ref name="nov30report">{{Cite web|url=https://www.yediot.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4886561,00.html|title = Csi הצתות|date = 30 November 2016}}</ref> According to the head of the fire investigation unit "at first, the number of suspected arson fires was the same as the number of natural fires. But as time went by, reports began arriving that many of the fires were the result of arson."<ref name="nov30report"/> In a later report In April 2017, the head of the investigation unit reported that 90% of the fires were caused by arson and that the fires were acts of terrorism.<ref name="midaapril"/>

== Firefighting == [[File:Croatia A.F. Micha.jpg|thumb|Croatian Air Force CL-415 refills it tanks with seawater to fight the wildfires in Israel, 26 November 2016]] Cyprus, Greece, Russia, Croatia, Italy, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Azerbaijan, France, and Ukraine sent aircraft and other equipment to help fight the fires.<ref name="BBC_24Nov16" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2016/11/24/7127867/|title=Україна відправить свої літаки гасити пожежі в Ізраїлі|date=24 November 2016|work=Українська правда}}</ref> Israel's Home Front Command called in soldiers and rescuers to aid with the effort.<ref name="haifafiretimesofisrael">{{cite news|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/hundreds-evacuated-as-brush-fires-flare-in-haifa-west-bank/|title=Tens of thousands flee massive fires raging across Haifa|date=24 November 2016|work=Times of Israel}}</ref> Netanyahu asked for "Super Tanker" aircraft from the USA.<ref name="reuters">{{cite news |first1=Bill |last1=Gabbert |date=November 26, 2016 |title="747 Supertanker drops on a fire in Israel" |url=https://fireaviation.com/2016/11/26/747-supertanker-drops-on-a-fire-in-israel/ |agency=Reuters}}</ref> The Palestinian Authority sent eight firefighting crews, four to the Haifa area and four to the Jerusalem area.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Palestinian-firefighter-arrive-to-help-put-out-the-flames-across-Israel-473616|title=Palestinian firefighters arrive to help put out the flames across Israel|date=25 November 2016|work=Jerusalem Post}}</ref> Spain sent four planes (CL-215T and CL-415) to help fight the fires.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cadenaser.com/ser/2016/11/25/espana/1480074085_551138.html|title=El Gobierno español envía 4 aviones antiincendios a Israel|date=25 November 2016|work=Cadena SER}}</ref>

Croatia sent two CL-415 with four crews (to ensure non-stop turnaround) on November 23, immediately after receiving Israel's request.<ref name="RTL Hrvatska">{{cite news|url=https://vijesti.rtl.hr/novosti/hrvatska/2001403/hrvatski-piloti-su-heroji-u-izraelu-vec-prvog-dana-posjetio-ih-premijer-netanyahu-i-zahvalio-im/|title=Hrvatski piloti su heroji u Izraelu: već prvog dana posjetio ih premijer Netanyahu i zahvalio im!|date=26 November 2016|work=RTL Televizija}}</ref>

Cyprus sent 69 men: 28 firemen, 24 rescuers of the Civil Defense, and 17 forest firefighters.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://in-cyprus.com/cyprus-sends-a-69-member-team-to-assist-israel-combat-massive-fires/|title=Cyprus sends a 69-member team to assist Israel combat massive fires|date=26 November 2016|work=Cyprus Weekly}}</ref>

Greece sent three firefighter planes (CL-415, a C-130) with 18 airmen, 14 technicians, and operation support supplies, on November 23, immediately after receiving Israel's request.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kathimerini.gr/885887/gallery/epikairothta/ellada/apostolh-aeroskafwn-cl-415-ths-polemikhs-aeroporias-sto-israhl---epainos-apo-thn-israhlinh-kyvernhsh|title=CL-415 of the Greek Air Forces Dispatched for Israel – Praise from the Israeli Government (Greek: Αποστολή αεροσκαφών CL-415 της πολεμικής αεροπορίας στο Ισραήλ – Έπαινος από την ισραηλινή κυβέρνηση|date=30 November 2016|work=Kathimerini}}</ref>

== Insurance and restoration == In Israel, private insurance companies do not compensate damages considered to be acts of hostile acts such as war and terrorism. Hence, people who lost property were unable to make insurance claims and receive money to repair and rebuild their properties.

On November 30, 2016, Israeli Insurance companies and the Israel Ministry of Finance came to an agreement whereby the government will fund 90% of the insured victims.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.themarker.com/news/1.3137786|title = הדיל בין האוצר לחברות הביטוח לכיסוי נזקי השריפות: מי מרוויח ומי מפסיד|journal = TheMarker}}</ref> The Israeli tax authority had published a list of settlements that will receive funds for rebuilding the lost property where they are considering the fires being an act of aggression.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Archived copy | url=https://taxes.gov.il/About/SpokesmanAnnouncements/Pages/Ann_291116_1.aspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130041935/https://taxes.gov.il/About/SpokesmanAnnouncements/Pages/Ann_291116_1.aspx | archive-date=2016-11-30}}</ref>

==See also== *Palestinian airborne arson attacks

== References == {{reflist|30em|refs= <ref name="BBC_24Nov16">{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-38088651 | title=Israel fires: Tens of thousands flee as fires hit Haifa | publisher=BBC News | date=24 November 2016}}</ref> }}

== External links == {{Commons category|November 2016 Israel wildfires}} *[http://www.102.gov.il/english/Pages/HomePage.aspx Official website] of the Israel Fire and Rescue Services

{{2016 wildfires}}

wildfires Israel Category:Arson in Asia Category:Environmental issues in Israel 2016 Category:History of Haifa Category:November 2016 in Israel Category:Wildfires caused by arson Category:2016 disasters in Israel