Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a grave warning on Wednesday about the rapidly spreading wildfires near Jerusalem, labeling the crisis a ‘national emergency.’ Dark clouds of smoke billowed ominously over the roads as firefighters raced to control the flames, which have already caused injuries and prompted military support.
The Magen David Adom rescue team said that many people are in danger due to the worst wildfires we’ve seen in years. They have helped about 23 people, with 13 of them needing to go to the hospital, mostly for breathing in smoke and getting burned. This includes two pregnant women and two babies under a year old. The emergency alert has been raised to the highest level.
Yuval Aharoni, a local resident near Modiin, expressed his sorrow over the situation, saying, ‘It’s incredibly disheartening because we expected this weather, yet it appears they were not sufficiently prepared with the large aircraft capable of making large amount of water drop.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu warned that strong winds could spread wildfires toward the outskirts of Jerusalem, possibly threatening the city itself. He stressed the need to send more fire engines and create firebreaks beyond the current boundaries to stop the flames. “We are dealing with a national emergency, not just a local one,” he said in a video message. “Protecting Jerusalem is our top priority.”
As a result of renewed wildfires in areas that had already suffered from previous blazes, police have closed the main road between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and evacuated residents living nearby, affecting many communities. “So many police officers and firefighters are here. Yosef Aaron, a student who spoke to AFP, observed the situation from the highway as the fire engulfed the entire area, noting that the efforts to control the blaze appeared futile.
During a press conference on television, Fire Chief Eyal Caspi shared serious concerns about the wildfire situation. He said, “Our aircraft cannot fly right now because of bad weather. Our main goal is to save lives.” He also mentioned that this wildfire might be the worst one in Israel in the last ten years. The police announced on X that they had sent many officers to the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway and the Jerusalem Hills, asking people not to travel to those areas. An AFP journalist reported that the fire was quickly spreading through wooded areas near the main road between Latrun and Bet Shemesh, and helicopters were actively fighting the fire. By the afternoon, soldiers had arrived at the scene, and many drivers were forced to leave their cars behind as they tried to escape the approaching flames.
The Israel Defense Forces recently announced that starting Wednesday, special troops from the Search and Rescue Brigade, along with local units from Jerusalem, have been deployed to help fight wildfires. They are working closely with about 50 firetrucks from various emergency services to battle the fires in the Jerusalem Hills.
During the night, emergency vehicles were sent out across the country to create barriers aimed at controlling the fires and stopping them from spreading further, according to the IDF.
Reports from Israeli news sources indicated that communities about 19 miles west of Jerusalem had to evacuate, and there are pictures showing firefighting teams tackling fierce flames. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir hinted that the fires might have been intentionally set. Authorities also mentioned that they arrested a man from East Jerusalem who was caught trying to start a fire in a field in the southern part of the city.
No formal announcement has been made to directly associate the two incidents.
Ben Gvir stated that law enforcement would detain anyone implicated in arson-related terrorism, while also keeping a vigilant eye on potential disturbances. The MDA reported that ambulance crews have been strategically stationed near fire-affected communities, ready to deliver medical aid and support to residents. The combination of very high temperatures and strong winds has caused fires to spread quickly in forested areas. This has led to the evacuation of at least five communities, according to a police statement.
Ben Gvir, who is in charge of Israel’s fire services, visited the affected areas that are especially at risk of wildfires this time of year. In a video message, he talked about the ongoing efforts to support the regions affected by the fires and to help evacuate people who are trapped. The foreign ministry has contacted nearby countries, such as Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Italy, and Bulgaria, to ask for help.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his support for Israel and offered to provide ‘material support’ through a post on X. Netanyahu’s office announced that three planes from Italy and Croatia will arrive soon to help fight the fires. Because resources are already limited, Ben Gvir decided to cancel any evening events for Thursday’s Independence Day celebrations that would require firefighters. He explained that this decision was made to redirect resources to tackle the fire situation and prepare for expected worsening weather conditions.
