Fires now under control, says Public Security Minister

Developing: 80,000 evacuated around Haifa; Shin Bet and Police investigating background, Police Chief says not all fires caused by arson. Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan on Thursday evening said that the general situation throughout the country regarding multiple fires is "under control." Erdan thanked the security services for all there efforts and said that the combination of firefighters, Homefront Command and police met the challenge facing the nation. Multiple fires have wrecked havoc across Israel over the last three days, forcing tens of thousands of citizens to flee their homes, with dozens of reported injuries. -- More...