Story perspectives

5 M shekel crowdfunding rush supports families after suspected arson fire

7/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

A crowdfunding drive raised 5 million shekels in 12 hours for families affected by the fire.
Forty-five fire and rescue teams, a helicopter and eight aircraft dropped water on Sunday.
The blaze destroyed homes, businesses and over 30 structures, forcing 100 families to evacuate.
Council head Yossi Dagan called it arson attack, condemned fireworks and pledged to rebuild, while Administrator Moshe Chachmon said injuries were a miracle despite a firefighter injured.

History

Historical Context

On 2 December 2010 a blaze on Mount Carmel near Haifa killed 44, most of them Israel Prison Service cadets, becoming Israel’s deadliest peacetime disaster until the 2021 Meron stampede. The fire followed earlier large Carmel fires in 1989 and 1995, prompting a 2010 overhaul of forest-fire law, stricter building codes and a national fire-prevention fund.

1 of 2

Story summary

A crowdfunding drive raised 5 million shekels in 12 hours for families affected by the fire.
Forty-five fire and rescue teams, a helicopter and eight aircraft dropped water on Sunday.
The blaze destroyed homes, businesses and over 30 structures, forcing 100 families to evacuate.
Council head Yossi Dagan called it arson attack, condemned fireworks and pledged to rebuild, while Administrator Moshe Chachmon said injuries were a miracle despite a firefighter injured.

1 / 2