Brussels: Firefighting planes from Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, and Italy are en route to Israel to combat raging wildfires, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Thursday via platform X. She emphasized the activation of the European Civil Protection Mechanism, showcasing the EU’s commitment to supporting Israel in its fight against the devastating fires. “This is EU solidarity in action,” von der Leyen stated.
According to Cyprus News Agency, earlier on Thursday, the Cyprus Police revealed that following coordination between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, and Justice and Public Order, the helicopter AKRITAS from the Police Air Operations Unit was dispatched to Israel. The helicopter, manned by a crew of four, aims to bolster efforts in controlling the wildfires currently wreaking havoc in the region.