Firefighting aircraft on way as Bibi pleads for world's help; Turkey, Egypt pledge assistance. Evacuees to be hosted by communities nationwide

International community offering its help: Israeli authorities are expecting to receive some 20 firefighting aircraft Thursday night from Greece, Cyprus Spain, Croatia, Azerbaijan and Russian to help in the effort to contain the northern blaze that claimed at least 40 lives.

Additional stories about the fire:

In Pictures: Deadly Fire in Israel

Disaster in the North: 40 Dead as Fire Rages in Carmel Mountains

Ashkenazi: IDF Will Do All It Can to Distinguish Fire

Turkish officials announced that they too will be sending two firefighting airplanes. Egypt also pledged to send a plane to help battle the blaze.

Earlier Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approached Russia, Italy, Greece and Cyprus and asked for firefighting aircraft to be sent to Israel. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman instructed Israel's ambassadors in the United States, Europe and Jordan to look into possible ways these countries could assist Israel.