Fire continues to rage in Israeli national park, woman arrested

A woman in her 30s was arrested after suspicion arose of her igniting the fire. She will be interrogated by Israel Police.

 A fire near Ben-Shemen Forest on October 7, 2021. (photo credit: ISRAEL FIRE AND RESUCE SERVICES)
A fire near Ben-Shemen Forest on October 7, 2021.
(photo credit: ISRAEL FIRE AND RESUCE SERVICES)

A fire broke out in Israel on Thursday in Begin National Park near Mevo Betar, between Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem. Israel Fire and Rescue Services are at the scene in an effort to control the fourth fire in one day. 

A woman in her 30s was arrested after suspicion arose of her igniting the fire. She will be interrogated by Israel Police.

The Fire and Rescue department noted that after a few hours the fire has not yet been put out, but that it has been condensed to one area and that nearby settlements are not in any danger. Firefighting crews will be reinforced, and their efforts to put out the fire will continue throughout the night, according to the department. 

 A forest fire near Betar Illit. September 18, 2021.  (credit: FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE)
A forest fire near Betar Illit. September 18, 2021. (credit: FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE)

There are currently 19 different teams operating in six different points of the fire.

Earlier on Thursday, two fires broke out near Ben-Shemen Forest and the West Bank settlement of Har Gilo. In addition, Molotov cocktails caused fires in the West Bank settlement of Neveh Tzuf.

Also on Thursday, a bus in Ramla caught fire, according to a report by KAN. The incident is currently being investigated.

This is a developing story.