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5 December 2010
Last updated at 10:27 ET
Israel does not need more help fighting an immense forest fire in its north, the prime minister says, as officials say the blaze is nearly beaten.
Benjamin Netanyahu said global offers of air assistance meant Israel was now able to tackle the fire successfully.
He spoke as an American 747 supertanker jet flew a series of missions over the Carmel region, and officials said the blaze could be under control on Sunday.
At least 41 people have died in what is thought to be Israel's largest fire.
Despite bitter recriminations within Israel, where the country's apparent lack of preparedness has been sharply criticised, officials said on Sunday they were winning the battle against the giant fire.
"We now observe mostly smoke on the ground, with fewer sources of fire," one senior air force commander told Israel's Haaretz newspaper.
Water-bombing Prime Minister Netanyahu had become the focus for criticism after calling for international assistance as the blaze took hold in the hills around Haifa.
But - acting on advice from Israel's air force advice - he declared that the arrival of the supertanker meant Israel now had enough planes available to tackle the flames.
"It seems like the firefighting forces are controlling the fire," the Jerusalem Post quoted him as saying.
Speaking to AFP news agency, Mr Netanyahu's spokesman Mark Regev was more explicit: "The fleet of aircraft currently deployed in Israel is sufficient for the task," he said.
Most prominent among those overseas firefighting aircraft was the giant US 747 supertanker.
The plane, the largest water-bombing aircraft in the world, flew at least two missions - with Israeli pilots on board alongside the Americans - dumping some 40 tonnes of water and flame retardant.
Unlike other aircraft brought into Israel, the supertanker is able to operate at night.
Israel's weekly cabinet meeting was held in the Haifa suburb of TiratHaCarmel and began with a minute's silence for those affected by the fire.
"We will rehabilitate not only the people who have been injured but the homes and the forests that have been damaged as well," Mr Netanyahu said.
Meanwhile, Israeli police have arrested two teenage brothers suspected of starting the blaze while lighting a fire in their village.
Police believe the blaze to have been started by negligence rather than as an act of arson.
However, Haaretz reported that the boys' father denied they had any involvement.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the forest fire? Send us your eyewitness accounts using the form below
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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Benjamin Netanyahu said global offers of air assistance meant Israel was now able to tackle the fire successfully.
He spoke as an American 747 supertanker jet flew a series of missions over the Carmel region, and officials said the blaze could be under control on Sunday.
At least 41 people have died in what is thought to be Israel's largest fire.
Despite bitter recriminations within Israel, where the country's apparent lack of preparedness has been sharply criticised, officials said on Sunday they were winning the battle against the giant fire.
"We now observe mostly smoke on the ground, with fewer sources of fire," one senior air force commander told Israel's Haaretz newspaper.
Water-bombing Prime Minister Netanyahu had become the focus for criticism after calling for international assistance as the blaze took hold in the hills around Haifa.
But - acting on advice from Israel's air force advice - he declared that the arrival of the supertanker meant Israel now had enough planes available to tackle the flames.
"It seems like the firefighting forces are controlling the fire," the Jerusalem Post quoted him as saying.
Speaking to AFP news agency, Mr Netanyahu's spokesman Mark Regev was more explicit: "The fleet of aircraft currently deployed in Israel is sufficient for the task," he said.
Most prominent among those overseas firefighting aircraft was the giant US 747 supertanker.
The plane, the largest water-bombing aircraft in the world, flew at least two missions - with Israeli pilots on board alongside the Americans - dumping some 40 tonnes of water and flame retardant.
Unlike other aircraft brought into Israel, the supertanker is able to operate at night.
Israel's weekly cabinet meeting was held in the Haifa suburb of TiratHaCarmel and began with a minute's silence for those affected by the fire.
"We will rehabilitate not only the people who have been injured but the homes and the forests that have been damaged as well," Mr Netanyahu said.
Meanwhile, Israeli police have arrested two teenage brothers suspected of starting the blaze while lighting a fire in their village.
Police believe the blaze to have been started by negligence rather than as an act of arson.
However, Haaretz reported that the boys' father denied they had any involvement.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the forest fire? Send us your eyewitness accounts using the form below
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions
Powered by WizardRSS | Best Membership Site Software