Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said at a diplomatic corps reception held at the President's Residence that Israel "thanks the many countries that immediately stepped up to assist in dealing with the fires. Thank you for the solidarity and willingness to help." Saar also addressed the situation in Syria and conflicts with Druze groups in the country, calling on the international community "to fulfill its role in protecting minorities in Syria, specifically the Druze, from the regime and its terrorist gangs, and not to turn a blind eye to the serious events taking place there."