Tens of thousands of people are already on Mount Meron starting late Wednesday afternoon in honor of the Rashbi's Hilula celebrations, and tens of thousands are making their way to Meron.
As a result, heavy traffic was recorded on Highway 6 northbound, from the Iron Interchange to the Ein Tut Interchange. Police recommend that drivers arriving in Meron take Highway 65, the Afula bypass, to the Golani Intersection - and from there to the Kadrim Intersection, or alternatively, take the coastal road to Highway 70 to Achihud and from there to Highway 85.
The police remind us that the roads near Meron are closed to traffic and that the parking lots for private vehicles are in Hatzor, Karmiel and Tzevon.
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• 00:50 - Rescue spokeswoman: "During the festivities in Meron, over 45 people who needed medical treatment were treated so far. Among them were victims who suffered from dehydration, burns and convulsions. Some were evacuated in MDA ambulances to Ziv Hospital in Safed.".
• 23:20 - United Hatzalah volunteers guarding the Meron area have so far provided first aid to 32 minor injuries, including 4 cases of falls from heights. The remaining cases were bruises, injuries, and breathing problems, due to the heavy crowding in the Zion Rashbi courtyard and the nearby plazas. Zeev Keshash, chairman of United Hatzalah: "Thank God, so far all of the cases treated have been events that are defined as routine, but there have already been 4 cases of falls from heights. The public is called upon to follow safety rules and avoid climbing high places where there is a risk of falling.".
• 23:08 - Tzivon parking lot is fully occupied for private vehicles.
• 22:25 - Parking lot occupancy for private vehicles: Karmiel 100%. Hatzor 100%. Tzivon 80%.
A paid shuttle service to Meron departs from these parking lots. The rates are as follows:
• From the Karmiel parking lot 23 NIS per person (round trip)
• From the Tzivon parking lot 14 NIS per person (round trip)
• From the Hatzor parking lot 19 NIS per person (round trip)
Operation Meron, under the command of Northern District Commander Superintendent Zohar Dvir, involves thousands of Northern District police officers, the Traffic Division, and the Border Guard. The police will also use advanced technological means, including a "zeppelin" and helicopters, to receive live aerial images of what is happening.
Along with the police forces, other bodies will operate, including the fire department, the United Hatzalah and Gush Dan Rescue, the Home Front Command and the Holy Places.
The police state: "As part of the process of drawing lessons from previous years, we have worked to improve several areas with an emphasis on public safety and maintaining public order, including: opening an additional emergency route at the mouth of the Meron Stream on the eastern side, expanding women's areas by building new stands, operating large viewing screens to display the lighting events to prevent overcrowding, and other additional actions, with the goal of preventing crowding and maintaining public safety." Stalls, vehicle parking, and hawking will not be allowed in the mountain area.
In preparation for the event, the police opened Public information center number 1-700-500-679.
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