Israeli authorities are battling intense forest fires in the north of the country that broke out shortly after rocket and drone strikes from neighbouring Lebanon struck the area, forcing the partial evacuation of one town.
“Firefighting units, assisted by various entities, are working to extinguish the fires,” Israeli police said in a statement, adding that several homes in Kiryat Shmona had been evacuated.
An AFP photographer in the northeastern town saw intense blazes engulfing parts of the area bordering Lebanon, the scene of near-daily exchanges of fire between the Israeli military and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group on the sidelines of the war in Gaza.
The Israeli military said it had deployed reinforcements to support firefighters overwhelmed by the scale of the fires.
“Six IDF reservist soldiers were lightly injured as a result of smoke inhalation and transferred to a hospital to receive medical treatment,” the military said.
“The forces gained control over the locations of fire, and at this stage, no human life is at risk,” it added.
Leaders of the army’s Northern Command had arrived in Kiryat Shmona during the night and the army was “conducting a situational assessment” in the sector.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was closely monitoring, together with the army, the development of the fires, which broke out yesterday after rocket fire and the fall of drones launched from Lebanon.
In retaliation, the Israeli military announced it had carried out air strikes against what it said were Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.
Draft ceasefire resolution
Meanwhile, the US said it wants the United Nations Security Council to adopt a resolution backing the proposal outlined by US President Joe Biden to end fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas in Gaza.
It circulated a one-page draft text, seen by Reuters, to the 15-member council.
A resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the US, France, Britain, China or Russia to pass.
The draft calls on Hamas to accept the deal and “fully and implement its terms without delay and without condition”.
It also “stresses the importance of the parties adhering to the terms of the deal once agreed, with the aim of bringing about a permanent cessation of hostilities”.
The US proposal comes a week after Algeria proposed a draft Security Council resolution demanding a Gaza ceasefire, release of all hostages held by Hamas and essentially ordering Israel to “immediately halt its military offensive” in Rafah.
Mr Biden on Friday laid out what he described as a three-phase Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza in return for the release of Israeli hostages, saying “it’s time for this war to end” and winning a positive initial reaction from Hamas.
“Numerous leaders and governments, including in the region, have endorsed this plan and we call on the Security Council to join them in calling for implementation of this deal,” US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in a statement.
She urged council members to adopt the resolution.
“We must speak with one voice in support of this deal,” she said.
Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies said in a statement that they “fully endorse and will stand behind the comprehensive” ceasefire and hostage release deal.
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Egypt said it was important to “deal seriously and positively”.
