Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a “national emergency “on Wednesday as rapidly spreading wildfires threatened to reach Jerusalem. The fires, fueled by strong winds and high temperatures, have already injured several people and forced mass evacuations.
Thick Smoke and Military Deployment
Thick smoke billowed over highways near Jerusalem as firefighters scrambled to contain the flames. The Israeli military has deployed troops to assist in firefighting efforts.
Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue agency reported that hundreds of civilians were at risk from the worst brushfires in years. The agency treated 23 people, with 13 hospitalized, mostly due to smoke inhalation and burns. Among the injured were two pregnant women and two infants.
Residents Express Concern
Yuval Aharoni, a resident near Modiin, described the situation as “very sad”, stating that authorities were not adequately prepared despite knowing the weather conditions. He emphasized the need for large firefighting aircraft to drop significant amounts of water.
Netanyahu’s Warning
Netanyahu cautioned that “the western wind can push the fire easily towards the outskirts of Jerusalem—and even into the city itself.” He urged emergency services to mobilize all available fire engines and create firebreaks beyond current fire lines.
Thousands Evacuated
Police shut down the main Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway and evacuated residents along the route as brushfires reignited in areas previously ravaged by flames. Communities housing thousands of people have been cleared out.
Student Yosef Aaron, speaking near the highway, described the overwhelming nature of the fire:
“A lot of police arrived, a lot of firefighters, but it didn’t really help. The fire had already completely taken over the whole area here.”
Ongoing Emergency Response
Authorities are working to contain the fires, with 163 firefighting teams and 12 aircraft battling the flames. Officials have requested international assistance from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, and Italy to help combat the disaster.
The situation remains critical as emergency services race to prevent the fires from reaching Jerusalem.
- Military Deployment:
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered troops to assist firefighters in battling the wildfires.
- Evacuations:
Communities located about 30 kilometers (19 miles) west of Jerusalem** were evacuated as flames spread rapidly.
- **Casualties:
At least 16 people were treated for minor injuries due to smoke inhalation. - **Firefighting Efforts: Authorities deployed 163 firefighting teams and 12 aircraft to combat the fires.
- **International Assistance
Israel has requested help from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, and Italy to fight the fires.
- **Impact on National Events
Due to the fires, Israel canceled its Independence Day ceremony in Jerusalem.
- **Historical Context:
Israel has experienced devastating wildfires before, including a 2010 forest fire on Mount Carmel that lasted four days and claimed 44 lives.
