DHAKA: Wildfires raged across Israel for a third consecutive day, forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes in what officials described as an act of “arson terrorism”.

Twelve people were detained on Friday (November 25) in relation to fires, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said, although it was not immediately clear if they were suspected of arson or negligence.

Speaking to reporters, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said if the fires were deliberately lit it would amount to “terrorism” and vowed to severely punish anyone who “tries to burn parts of Israel”, reports CNN.

“Every fire that was caused by arson, or incitement to arson, is terrorism by all accounts. And we will treat it as such.”

The fires began Tuesday (November 22) in the northern community of Zichron Ya’akov, about 35 kilometers (22 miles) north of the city of Haifa.

Authorities ordered the evacuation of 60,000 people in Haifa. Fires broke out the following day in Modi'in in central Israel.

The flames in Haifa were brought under control but strong winds Friday morning triggered a number of new fires, a police spokesman said.

Firefighters on the ground are working with planes and police helicopters in the air, he said.

Another large fire continues to blaze in Harashim, about 35 kilometers (22 miles) to the northeast of Haifa.

Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan confirmed a “small number of arrests” but declined to elaborate, citing the ongoing investigation.

“Today it is quite clear that a good amount of the fires were caused by arson and, as the Prime Minister said, there is a new phenomenon of arson terrorism.”

BDST: 1900 HRS, NOV 25, 2016
AP/BD