Tel Aviv [Israel], The Israeli government on Sunday approved a proposal to purchase about 200 fire trucks for northern communities.
The 50 million shekels (US$13.4 million) plan will procure 40 vans and 150 all-terrain vehicles, which will be deployed with volunteer firefighting teams.
Wildfires sparked by Hezbollah rocket barrages have burned about 15,000 acres of land in the Upper Galilee and Golan Heights in 2024, according to the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. The authority said 75 percent of the damage occurred during the first two weeks of June.
About 60,000 Israelis living in northern communities were forced to evacuate in October when the Hezbollah terrorist organization began daily rocket and drone attacks.Leaders of the Iran-backed terrorist group have said they will continue attacks to prevent Israelis from returning to their homes. 10 civilians and 14 soldiers have been killed in Hezbollah attacks since October 7.
Israeli officials are demanding Hezbollah disarm and withdraw from southern Lebanon in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Second Lebanon War.
Meanwhile, the government has also extended the period of stay in state-funded hotels and guest houses for evacuees from Gaza border communities. According to the Prime Minister's Office, which announced the move, 70 percent of residents who evacuated 20 towns and farming communities have already returned to their homes."As part of the decision, the directorate will regulate the format for determining the dates for the return of communities to their homes, in coordination with the Ministry of Finance and considering security and resettlement situations," the Prime Minister's Office said.
On October 7, Hamas attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border killed at least 1,200 people and took 252 Israelis and foreigners hostage. Of the 116 remaining hostages, more than 30 are believed dead.
The 50 million shekels (US$13.4 million) plan will procure 40 vans and 150 all-terrain vehicles, which will be deployed with volunteer firefighting teams.
Wildfires sparked by Hezbollah rocket barrages have burned about 15,000 acres of land in the Upper Galilee and Golan Heights in 2024, according to the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. The authority said 75 percent of the damage occurred during the first two weeks of June.
About 60,000 Israelis living in northern communities were forced to evacuate in October when the Hezbollah terrorist organization began daily rocket and drone attacks.Leaders of the Iran-backed terrorist group have said they will continue attacks to prevent Israelis from returning to their homes. 10 civilians and 14 soldiers have been killed in Hezbollah attacks since October 7.
Israeli officials are demanding Hezbollah disarm and withdraw from southern Lebanon in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Second Lebanon War.
Meanwhile, the government has also extended the period of stay in state-funded hotels and guest houses for evacuees from Gaza border communities. According to the Prime Minister's Office, which announced the move, 70 percent of residents who evacuated 20 towns and farming communities have already returned to their homes."As part of the decision, the directorate will regulate the format for determining the dates for the return of communities to their homes, in coordination with the Ministry of Finance and considering security and resettlement situations," the Prime Minister's Office said.
On October 7, Hamas attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border killed at least 1,200 people and took 252 Israelis and foreigners hostage. Of the 116 remaining hostages, more than 30 are believed dead.
