Firefighters struggled for hours to control a fire in the abandoned Arab village of Lifta, located at the entrance to Jerusalem. Heavy smoke in the area disrupted traffic on the highways leading toward Jerusalem.
Firefighters were aided by a helicopter, which relayed information about the fire's movement. A total of 30 dunams (7.5 acres) were burned. Firefighters evacuated four homes in the area, as well as a number of youths squatting in the abandoned houses. An investigation was opened into the cause of the blaze.
