A fire broke out in the Haruvit Forest near Kiryat Malachi on Saturday, Maariv reported, with six firefighting aircraft dispatched to the scene.
Ground-based fire and rescue teams also arrived on the scene to extinguish the blaze, which spread to the forest’s treetops after winds fanned it, Maariv reported.
Later on Saturday, KAN News reported that the fire had been brought under control, with arson suspected as the ignition source.
“Firefighters acted decisively to tackle the intense fire in the temporary structure and conducted rapid searches that ruled out the presence of trapped people,” said Incident Commander Deputy Chief Shai Nehemia. “During the operation, crews rescued several Torah scrolls from the flames.”
Several bystanders hurled insults and slurs at the officers working to maintain order and secure the area as firefighters worked to put out the fire, according to the Israel Police.