Seven firefighting teams from the Nof Hagalil and Tiberias stations are currently working to extinguish the forest fire that broke out at Mount Precipice in Nazareth on Tuesday afternoon.
Joining the firefighting efforts are four firefighting aircraft from the “Elad” firefighting squadron.
“This is a fire involving waste and grass in an open area, advancing on several fronts toward a truck parking area, and in another direction toward the Beit Keshet forest, where teams from the Tiberias station are operating," Senior Fire Officer Shashi Sigawi, shift commander, said.
"The firefighters are working hard to stop the fire’s spread and bring the incident under control.”
Historical, touristic, and cultural significance
Mount Precipice (Arabic: Jabal al-Tur) is a sacred site located in the southern part of Nazareth, about 395 meters above sea level, overlooking the Jezreel Valley and Mount Gilboa.
According to Christian tradition, this is the site where the residents of Nazareth tried to throw Jesus off the mountain after rejecting his sermon in the local synagogue. According to the New Testament, he slipped away and disappeared, thus the name: Mount Precipice.
The mountain holds historical, touristic, and cultural significance. It served as a strategic observation point in ancient times and today hosts Christian ceremonies. It is part of the pilgrimage route for those traveling to Nazareth and the Holy Land.
In 2009, a festive Mass was held there with the participation of Pope Benedict XVI, attended by tens of thousands of believers.