Israel assists Greece with its firefighting efforts

BY DAVID SAFFER

Specialist Israeli firefighting teams aided Greece in the ongoing battle to suppress devastating wildfires in recent days.

The Greek government requested Israel dispatch firefighting aircraft. Elad Squadron aircraft operated under extreme temperatures during firefighting efforts. Planes conducted numerous sorties that involved Israeli and Greek aircraft, dropping water from the air. In an ever-changing story that has affected the islands of Rhodes, Corfu, Crete and Evia thousands of tourists have been evacuated whilst residents have been forced to leave their homes as the fires and damage escalates.

Some 10,000 Britons were believed to be on Rhodes on Monday. Desperate stories had been told in the media of tourists running for their lives to escape the flames.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called on holidaymakers to remain in touch with tour operators.

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said a Rapid Deployment Team of Foreign Office and Red Cross responders are in Rhodes supporting British people. Tour Operators have kept travellers up to date.

By Monday night Jet 2 and TUI had announced they were Continued on page 2 cancelling all flights to Rhodes up to Friday. EasyJet and Ryanair said flights were operating normally to the island. British Airways, meantime, said customers due to fly out could change flights free of charge.

Thomas Cook told passengers that any holidays in affected areas scheduled before 31 July would be cancelled. But customers in unaffected areas of Rhodes could travel if they wished.

A TUI spokesperson confirmed: “We have cancelled all outbound flights to Rhodes up to and including Friday 28 July, and have also cancelled all outbound flights for customers travelling to impacted hotels up to and including on Sunday 30th July.

“All flight only customers due to travel on these flights will receive full refunds. Package holiday customers will have the option to amend their booking or cancel with a full refund. Passengers due to travel up to and including Sunday 30 July for all areas of Rhodes will be offered a fee free amend to another holiday or the option to cancel for a full refund.”

Jet 2 noted: “We have cancelled all flights and holidays that are due to depart to Rhodes today (Monday). We will be contacting affected customers to update them, and to let them know that they will be provided with a full refund and the opportunity to rebook. We will fly those five aircraft to Rhodes with no customers onboard, so that we can bring customers back to the UK on their scheduled flight.”

Israeli planes are now ready to respond to potential fires in Israel due to significant rise in temperatures.

Superintendent Chaim Bar-Gil, Israel Police Air Division, served as mission commander, he stated: "The operational and professional cooperation enabled us to meet tight schedules. Our primary focus was to suppress the fires, preventing further outbreaks, and despite challenging weather conditions, we achieved our goal. We worked in coordination with local and international teams, and with the situation under control, we agreed with the Greeks on concluding the operation in the region.”

National Security Minister Itamar BenGvir noted: “The firefighting planes of the 'Elad' squadron operated with great professionalism and completed the operational activity. The pilots and ground crews of the Fire and Rescue Services and Israel Police enabled Israel to assist Greece during critical times.”

Israeli Ambassador to Greece Noam Katz commented: “The fires caused severe damage, mainly to the forest and buildings. The fires in Attica have calmed down, but a severe fire is still raging on Rhodes, the Greeks and international forces are operating there. The team's activity contributed to friendly relations between the two countries.”

The relief mission, led by the Ministry of National Security, Israel Police Air Division and Fire and Rescue Services included four pilots, ground crews, wildfire experts and accompanying equipment. Discussions also took place with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Emergency Management Authority, IDF, IMOD and Israeli Embassies of Greece and Cyprus.

Story was up to date at the time of going to press.