Interior Security Minister Gilad Erdan also addressed the press, saying that Israeli security forces had just arrested an Arab male near Abu Tor in posession of materials to make a fire.
Thanking the governments of Egypt and Jordan for their offers of assistance earlier on Friday, Netanyahu said that the two neighbors had offered support before Israel could request it. He also praised the hard work of all the Israeli forces and volunteers working to battle the flames.
Egypt will be sending two helicopters, and Jordan will be providing fire trucks and crews.
Friday has been a quieter day than Thursday, when fires destroyed hundreds of houses in Haifa and caused widespread damage across the North and Center. Nevertheless, Netanyahu said that it’s better to receive more help than necessary, rather than not enough.
He added that the government’s weekly cabinet
