Fires set off by Hezbollah rockets spread through northern Israel

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Fires burn on June 3 as a result of rockets launched from Lebanon into northern Israel, next to the city of Kiryat Shmona near the Lebanon border.

Fires burn on June 3 as a result of rockets launched from Lebanon into northern Israel, next to the city of Kiryat Shmona near the Lebanon border.

PHOTO: AFP

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JERUSALEM - Large swaths of northern Israel were engulfed by wild fires set off by rockets launched from Lebanon by the militant group Hezbollah, with rescue teams battling on June 3 to get them under control.

Many Israelis who live in towns near the Lebanon border evacuated months ago given the escalating fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Some houses caught fire, local media reported.

The Israeli military sent equipment and soldiers to help contain the flames, which spread quickly due to hot and dry weather, and six military reservists were lightly injured.

“The forces gained control over the locations of fire, and at this stage, no human life is at risk,” the military said.

Israel’s parks authority said earlier on June 3 that fires had already covered hundreds of acres. The national fire service said its firefighters were operating late into the night in several spots, including in the town of Kiryat Shmona, where they were trying to protect a line of houses.

Police said they closed off roads and were telling residents still in the area to clear out. REUTERS

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