The massive fire in Israel's north (the Mt. Carmel fire, Dec. 2-6) was an event of great tragedy, as 43 men and women lost their lives while working to save the lives of others. At the same time, the event brought out the best of Israel, as seen in the bravery of the rescue and security forces and the unity shown by the nation. People from all over the country and all parts of society opened their hearts, homes and wallets to those affected by the fire. This slideshow tells the story.

4. 42 Heroes Gave Their Lives to Save Others You, the warriors of the State’s internal security forces- the best of this land’s sons, daughters and soldiers…You were heroes and you shall remain heroes. We will perpetuate your names forever, so that the coming generations will know and tell of these pure-hearted individuals who gave their lives in order to save the lives of others Kiryl Derman, 28, Afula Roi Biton, 28, Kiryat Gat Ronen Peretz, 34, Ashkelon Inbal Amoyal 26 , Dimona -Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch, Address to the Knesset, Dec. 7, 2010

5. Siyum Tzagi, 31, Netivot Wassim Abu Rish, 28, Yarka Yakir Swissa, 26, Dimona Adel Tafesh, 33, Beit Jan Topaz Even Chen Klein, 28, Rehovot Shabi Beber, 35, Kfar Jat Maor Ganon, 27, Gan Yavneh Ayas Najib Sarhan, 30, Kfar Mrar Ayala Yifrah, 28, Kiryat Yam Kfir Ohana, 30, Ofakim Oshrat Pinto, 26, Safed Hagai Jorno, 28, Kiryat Gat

6. Tania Lansky, 23, Ashdod Rami Israeli, 33 Eilat Lior Boker, 57, Pardes Hanna Eran Weisel, 31, Kiryat Bialik Elad Riven, 16, Haifa Uri Semande’ev, 27, Migdal Ha’emek Hagai Panker, 31, Yerucham Yitzhak Melina, 46, Haifa Aviram Levy, 28, Afula Yaron Barmi, 21, Mabu’im Dimitry Koslov, 45, Beersheba David Navon, 48, Ness Tziona

7. Kfir Chen, 35, Gan Yavneh Uriel Malka, 32, Karnei Shomron Vladislav Rahamimov, 30, Beersheba Morris Levy, 32, Tiberias Efrat Cohen, 35, Ra’anana Iliya Langman, 31, Nahariya Faviola Bohadana, 48, Ness Tziona Yochai Shimon Dayan, 28, Carmiel Hanan Ohayon, 31, Upper Nazareth Rafi Alkalai, 44, Lapid Avi Noah, 34, Jerusalem Ahuva Tomer, 52, Mitzpeh Manot

8. Osama Na’amana, 29, Arava Dmitri Grishtien, 27, Tel Aviv Jalal Bisan, 29, Kfar Jat

9. More than 12,000 residents evacuated from their homes

11. 450 Fire fighters 1,000 Home Front and Air Force Soldiers 450 Police Officers and Border Police

12. 19 Countries Came to Israel’s Aid

13. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres with the heads of firefighting delegations from 18 countries

16. Palestinian Authority- 3 Fire Trucks and 21 Firefighters Jordan- Three Fire Trucks Egypt- 1 Firefighting Plane, 2 Firefighting Helicopters and Firefighting Materials Turkey- 2 Firefighting Planes and 2 Firefighting Helicopters

17. More than 8,000 People Opened their Hearts, Homes and Wallets through Volunteer Organizations such as “Ruach Tova” and “Lev Echad”

18. +50,000 Friends in a Facebook group dedicated to rehabilitating the Carmel