Israel asks Greek help to battle blaze near Jerusalem

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has asked his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias for air support in battling wildfires near Jerusalem, the Israeli Embassy in Athens said in a statement late Tuesday.

Dendias said Greece will help “as much as possible.”

“The Embassy of Israel, through the Ambassador, Mr Yossi Amrani, appealed for assistance through diplomatic channels and Greek authorities promised to be of help once conditions here allow it,” the statement said.

The fires have forced hundreds to evacuate and sent clouds of smoke billowing over the city