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Israeli Fires Send Thousands Fleeing Amid Arson Suspicions

  • Haifa blaze worst since 2010, as fires rage for third day
  • Air force battles flames, assisted by Russia, Greece, Turkey
Fire rages in the Israeli port city of Haifa on Nov. 24.

Fire rages in the Israeli port city of Haifa on Nov. 24.

Photographer: Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images
Updated on

Thousands of Israelis fled wildfires that spread through the northern port city of Haifa as authorities suggested blazes were set deliberately.

“It’s safe to assume that if it is arson, it is nationalist,” Israeli’s police chief Roni Alsheich said in broadcast remarks to reporters. “Nationalist” is a phrase authorities use to describe attacks by Arabs.