Giant Haifa fire: residents injured, trapped; smoke covers neighborhoods

The fire in Haifa spread to more areas of the city on Thursday. Thick smoke hung over the neighborhoods of Ramot Sapir, Romema, Ahuza and Golda, which were being evacuated. Evacuations have already been carried out at kindergartens and schools. Haifa City Hall set up two evacuation centers, including one at the old municipal stadium. Meanwhile, Turkey, Russia and Croatia announced that they were sending planes to provide assistance. For more details on the arson that is only targeting Israel's Jewish cities and towns, see DEBKAfile's special report.