Tel Aviv, April 30 -- Pursuant to the urgent operational need as defined by the Fire and Rescue Service Commissioner, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed the National Security Council in cooperation with the National Security Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to lead an international assistance effort for firefighting aircraft.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has contacted nearby countries, including Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Italy and Bulgaria.

The National Security Ministry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Fire and Rescue Service are coordinating the integration of the assistance as per updated assessments of the situation.

All relevant agencies are working to bring about the arrival of the international ...