Two arrested over Israeli wildfire

Israeli police have arrested two people in connection with the worst wildfire in its history.

Firefighters are continuing to battle the blaze which has claimed dozens of lives since it started in an illegal dump near the northern town of Haifa on Thursday.

It is thought negligence rather than arson is to blame.

Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told reporters: “The initial result that we have at this moment is that it took place as a result of negligence. Our units are continuing that investigation, which is obviously going be a thorough investigation in order to find exactly why it started in the way it did.”

Several countries have joined the effort to contain the flames which have destroyed thousands of hectares of land and forced the evacuation of thousands from their homes.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to offer his help and his condolences for the lives lost.

It is thought to be the first time they have spoken since peace talks stalled in September.

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