Israel battles fires for third day; 4 Palestinians arrested

A wildfire burns in Zikhron Ya'akov, Israel, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016. Due to dry conditions, wildfires broke out for the second day in Israel. In Zikhron Ya'akov around ten homes were burned and about fifteen people sustained light injuries from smoke inhalation. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) (The Associated Press)

A home damaged from fire is seen in Zikhron Ya'akov, Israel, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016. Due to dry conditions, wildfires broke out for the second day in Israel. In Zikhron Ya'akov around ten homes were burned and about fifteen people sustained light injuries from smoke inhalation. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) (The Associated Press)

A boy stands next to a burnt car following a wildfire in Zikhron Ya'akov, Israel, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016. Due to dry conditions, wildfires broke out for the second day in Israel. In Zikhron Ya'akov around ten homes were burned and several people sustained light injuries from smoke inhalation. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) (The Associated Press)

Israeli police have arrested four Palestinians in connection with one of several large fires that damaged homes and prompted the evacuation of thousands of people over the past few days.

Spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said on Thursday that police are investigating all possible causes, including arson. Windy and hot weather have helped fan the flames.

He says the blazes started three days ago at the Neve Shalom community near Jerusalem where Israelis and Arabs live together.

Later, fires erupted in the northern Israeli area of Zichron Yaakov and elsewhere near Jerusalem. In all, hundreds of homes have been damaged and thousands of people have been evacuated. About a dozen were treated for smoke inhalation.

Cyprus, Russia, Italy and other countries are assisting the Israeli firefighters with equipment as the fires continue.