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Israel fires: Tens of thousands flee as fires hit Haifa Israel fires: Tens of thousands flee as fires hit Haifa
(about 3 hours later)
Tens of thousands of people are being evacuated as wildfires rage through parts of Israel's third largest city of Haifa. About 80,000 people have been told to evacuate their homes as wildfires swept into Israel's third largest city of Haifa.
The fires follow a two-month drought and are being fanned by strong winds in the north of the city.The fires follow a two-month drought and are being fanned by strong winds in the north of the city.
Wildfires are also threatening homes near Jerusalem and in the West Bank.Wildfires are also threatening homes near Jerusalem and in the West Bank.
Israel's police chief said arson was suspected in some cases and PM Benjamin Netanyahu said any such attacks would amount to "terror".Israel's police chief said arson was suspected in some cases and PM Benjamin Netanyahu said any such attacks would amount to "terror".
"Every fire that was the result of arson or incitement to arson is terror in every way and we'll treat it as such," he was quoted by Haaretz newspaper as saying."Every fire that was the result of arson or incitement to arson is terror in every way and we'll treat it as such," he was quoted by Haaretz newspaper as saying.
"Anyone who tries to burn parts of the state of Israel will be severely punished.""Anyone who tries to burn parts of the state of Israel will be severely punished."
Police chief Roni Alsheich said that if fires had been started deliberately it was "safe to assume... it is politically-motivated''.Police chief Roni Alsheich said that if fires had been started deliberately it was "safe to assume... it is politically-motivated''.
In pictures: Israeli wildfiresIn pictures: Israeli wildfires
Education Minister Naftali Bennett, leader of the right-wing religious Jewish Home party, also appeared to suggest Arab or Palestinian involvement in the fires, writing on Twitter: "Only those to whom the country does not belong are capable of burning it."Education Minister Naftali Bennett, leader of the right-wing religious Jewish Home party, also appeared to suggest Arab or Palestinian involvement in the fires, writing on Twitter: "Only those to whom the country does not belong are capable of burning it."
On social media, the Arabic-language hashtag #Israel_on_fire began trending, with most tweets expressing pleasure over the outbreak.On social media, the Arabic-language hashtag #Israel_on_fire began trending, with most tweets expressing pleasure over the outbreak.
Four Palestinians have been arrested in connection with a fire near Jerusalem and are due to appear in court, officials said. Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan told Channel 10 TV news that eight people had been arrested.
The Palestinian Authority has offered to help Israel's fire department, a senior Israeli security official told the BBC, but has not yet received a reply. He said arson was suspected in about half of the fires and police had found "flammable materials and liquids poured in certain areas".
"We need to be prepared for a new type of terror," he added.
Israeli media reported that the Shin Bet internal security agency was involved in the investigation.
Meanwhile, hundreds of military reservists have been called up to help battle the three-day outbreak of fires.Meanwhile, hundreds of military reservists have been called up to help battle the three-day outbreak of fires.
In Haifa, about 50,000 of the city's residents had left their homes, the city council said, and several neighbourhoods will be without electricity overnight. In Haifa, the city council said several neighbourhoods will be without electricity overnight.
People loaded up supermarket trolleys with belongings, while schools, kindergartens, universities and an old people's hospital were evacuated.People loaded up supermarket trolleys with belongings, while schools, kindergartens, universities and an old people's hospital were evacuated.
More than 130 people have been taken to hospital with minor injuries, mainly from smoke inhalation, but most were later discharged, Haaretz reported.More than 130 people have been taken to hospital with minor injuries, mainly from smoke inhalation, but most were later discharged, Haaretz reported.
Two prisons near Haifa have also been evacuated.Two prisons near Haifa have also been evacuated.
Further south, Highway 443 - which links Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, crossing through the West Bank - was closed to morning traffic on Thursday as another blaze reached the city of Modi'in.Further south, Highway 443 - which links Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, crossing through the West Bank - was closed to morning traffic on Thursday as another blaze reached the city of Modi'in.
Homes and cars were damaged, and 300 students were evacuated from a school in Talmon, an Israel settlement in the occupied West Bank, police said.Homes and cars were damaged, and 300 students were evacuated from a school in Talmon, an Israel settlement in the occupied West Bank, police said.
Firefighters have been battling fires in several locations since Tuesday and forecasters are warning that the dry conditions and strong winds are likely to continue until early next week.Firefighters have been battling fires in several locations since Tuesday and forecasters are warning that the dry conditions and strong winds are likely to continue until early next week.
Several countries - including Cyprus, Russia, Italy, Croatia and Greece - have sent help and equipment, including aircraft, to help tackle the blazes.Several countries - including Cyprus, Russia, Italy, Croatia and Greece - have sent help and equipment, including aircraft, to help tackle the blazes.
Mr Netanyahu said officials were also contacting the US company which operates a huge firefighting plane known as the "Supertanker".Mr Netanyahu said officials were also contacting the US company which operates a huge firefighting plane known as the "Supertanker".
In 2010, 42 people died in a fire on Mount Carmel, just south of Haifa.In 2010, 42 people died in a fire on Mount Carmel, just south of Haifa.
Are you in the area affected by the fires? Have you been evacuated? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.Are you in the area affected by the fires? Have you been evacuated? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
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