Unofficial Israel reports estimated on Sunday the damages caused by the sporadic wildfires that hit Israel last week at two billion shekels (around US$515 million), considering this as the highest cost ever in the nation’s history. Losses of houses exceeded US$ 180 million, according to preliminary reports, whereas losses of public properties like roads, electrical systems, infrastructure and public buildings reached no less than US$ 77 million. The materials consumed by Israeli firefighters and rescuers are estimated at US$25 million. Meanwhile, the Israeli Finance Ministry decided to use real estate tax experts to estimate the losses suffered by Israeli properties damaged by the fire. Haifa province will pay 1,500 shekels (US$ 650) for every person or families that cannot return back to their house.

Source: Egypt Independent November 28, 2016 13:37 UTC