“We stand by the Israeli people and authorities at this time of need. Not only in words but with concrete support,” said EU’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini as firefighting planes from several EU member states joined efforts to douse a wave of devastating fires that have burned across Israel for several days.

EU member states Greece, Cyprus, Croatia and Italy have sent planes, along with Turkey, Russia and the US.

‘’I am pleased that EU Member States are showing their solidarity in action,” she said in a tweet “We will continue to be in close contact with [Israeli] authorities to mobilise further offers of assistance as required.”

EU Ambassador to Israel Lars Faaborg-Andersen also expressed concern and said: ‘’My thoughts are with brave fire crews and thousands of ordinary people affected,” he said, according to the EU mission.

Israeli officials have reported that fires which raged in central and northern Israel last week were largely brought under control and they are now focusing on the source of the fires and the damage caused.

Last week’s fires predominantly hit the Haifa and Jerusalem hills areas. In Haifa, around 80,000 people were evacuated from their homes and around 700 acres were destroyed. In total, as much as 32,000 acres of natural forests and brush were destroyed, around 30 per cent more than the area destroyed by the 2010 Carmel Forest fire.

At least 700 homes were damaged or destroyed by the fires and 122 people have been treated for injuries, mainly smoke inhalation. There have been no reported deaths.

Over 1.5m tons of fire retardant materials and liquids have been used since Saturday night. With Israel’s fire-fighting forces stretched, countries including the US, Russia, Turkey, Greece, France, Spain and Canada all sent crews to help aid the effort. The Palestinian Authority (PA) also sent eight fire engines to help extinguish the fires.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu telephoned PA President Mahmoud Abbas to thank the PA for their assistance.

Although dry conditions and high winds are thought to have been a major cause of the fires, Israeli officials say that arson was also to blame for a significant number of the fires. A police statement said they suspect that between 30 to 40 of the 90 fires investigated so far were caused by arson, with 23 arrests already made.