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Israel dispatches firefighters to combat massive Cyprus blaze
Israel sent three military fire-fighting planes, one cargo plane and accompanying personnel to Cyprus over the weekend, in order to tackle a huge blaze near the city of Paphos.
Israel’s Ambassador to Cyprus Yael Ravia Zadok visited the Israeli crew as it landed on the island, and said: “It is our duty and pleasure to stand by our Cypriot friends and extend a hand of assistance to them, just the way they did when Israel had to combat the massive fire on Mount Carmel in 2010.”
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “I ordered that three of our firefighting aircraft, out of our fleet of 13 or 14, be sent to help them, and the planes are now in Cyprus. This is part of the regional arrangement we have made with Cyprus and Greece about emergency assistance. I am pleased that we are able to extend this assistance.”
Remembering the Carmel Forest fire in 2010, which killed 44 people, Netanyahu told his cabinet that the Cypriot president was one of the first people Netanyahu called for help: “They had one such aircraft,” which they willingly sent.
The fire, which is thought to have been started by two people looking to clear land, covers an area of around five square kilometres. It prompted the mobilisation of over 200 emergency service workers, fire engines and a helicopter from the local British military bases. The fire was eventually brought under control yesterday.
Earlier this year, Netanyahu took part in the first ever tripartite summit alongside his Greek and Cypriot counterparts, at which the leaders pledged to cooperate on a number of regional issues. These included the burgeoning energy sector, plus security, agriculture, environment protection, health, and joint search and rescue.
Earlier this year, Netanyahu took part in the first ever tripartite summit alongside his Greek and Cypriot counterparts, at which the leaders pledged to cooperate on a number of regional issues. These included the burgeoning energy sector, plus security, agriculture, environment protection, health, and joint search and rescue.