A firefighter works to extinguish a fire near the Kfar HaOranim settlement in the West Bank on Oct. 9, 2020. (Photo/JTA-Yossi Aloni-Flash90) News Israel Israeli firefighters battle 250 blazes over hot, dry weekend Facebook Twitter Email SMS WhatsApp Share By Marcy Oster, JTA | October 12, 2020 Thousands of Israelis were forced to evacuate their homes over the weekend as a result of fires burning across the country. Some 250 fires, including 13 identified as very large, spread throughout the country and the West Bank. Dozens of homes were burned. Fire and Rescue Commissioner Dedi Simchi told the Kan national broadcaster that some of the fires in the West Bank are believed to have been deliberately set by Palestinians. Firefighting aircraft flew over 150 sorties to dump flame-retardant foam on the fires, according to the report. Most of the fires started on Friday and were brought under control by the end of the day Saturday. Some 10,000 people were evacuated from their homes. Israel has been suffering from a record-breaking heatwave in recent weeks. Marcy Oster Israel-based JTA correspondent JTA Content distributed by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency news service. Also On J. Tech State bill would compel social media to disclose hate speech policies Culture Reboot Studios funds Jewish projects with Soloway, Mansbach and more Bay Area Berkeley's psychedelic rebbe seeks applicants for Jewish cannabis retreat Israel Yair Lapid becomes Israeli prime minister, Biden congratulates him Subscribe to our Newsletter Enter Email Sign Up