Israel offered aid to Greece in the wake of wildfires that have killed at least 50 people, The Times of Israel reported Tuesday.

“In light of the severe #Greecefires, Israeli authorities (the National Security Council in the Prime Minister’s Office and the Israeli Embassy in Athens) contacted their counterparts in #Greece and offered Israel’s aid,” Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted. The ministry added, “Greek authorities responded that at this stage they have gained control of the fires. Israel has emergency teams waiting on stand-by. Israel stands ready to aid Greece in any way necessary. The Greek authorities have expressed their thanks to Israel for its offer of aid.”

Similarly, Israel’s Minister of Public Security and Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan wrote, “My heart goes out to the people and government of #Greece, who are facing devastating wildfires. Israel stands ready to assist our friend and ally Greece in fighting the flames with ground or aerial support, as soon as we are asked.”

Greece was one of the countries that sent firefighters to Israel when Israel experienced nationwide wildfires in November 2016. The response to the Israeli wildfires prompted Israel, Greece and Cyprus to form a regional disaster response force to handle natural disasters and other emergencies.

Israel, in recent years, has developed closer diplomatic ties to Greece. This has been driven by discoveries of natural gas in Israeli territorial waters in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Israel, Greece, and Cyprus have been cooperating on efforts to export the gas to Europe.

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