Jerusalem, Israel — Wildfires have erupted near Jerusalem, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare a national emergency as the flames threaten to encroach upon the city. Thick plumes of smoke rose over the region Wednesday, leading to numerous injuries and the mobilization of military resources to assist local firefighting efforts.
Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency services reported that about 23 individuals required treatment, with 13 hospitalized due mainly to smoke inhalation and burns. Among the injured were two pregnant women and two infants under one year of age. In response to the escalating situation, MDA elevated its alert level to the highest tier.
Witnesses described the scene as devastating and alarming. Yuval Aharoni, a resident near Modiin, expressed dismay over the intensity of the fires, suggesting officials should have been better prepared given the extreme weather predictions. “It’s just very sad because we knew the weather; we kind of knew that would happen,” he said.
Netanyahu emphasized the urgency of the situation in a video address. He warned that strong winds could intensify the fire’s spread toward Jerusalem, stating, “The priority right now is defending Jerusalem.” He urged an increase in fire truck deployments and the establishment of fire breaks beyond the current danger zones.
Authorities responded by closing the main highway connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and executing evacuation plans for nearby communities, which house thousands. High school student Yosef Aaron noted the overwhelming conditions, saying, “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.”
Eyal Caspi, the fire chief, reported that unfavorable weather conditions hampered aerial firefighting capabilities, adding, “Our goal is to save lives.” He underscored the gravity of the situation, labeling the current fire as potentially the largest in a decade.
Police confirmed a robust presence around critical areas, including the Jerusalem Hills, and cautioned the public against traveling there. As helicopters battled flames visible near the lanes of the main road between Latrun and Bet Shemesh, residents faced the dire prospect of abandoning their vehicles to flee the advancing blaze.
Communities roughly 30 kilometers west of Jerusalem were evacuated as firefighters battled the out-of-control flames. Amidst the turmoil, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir hinted that arson may have been involved, noting that a suspect was arrested for attempting to start fires in a southern sector of the city.
Ambulances have been strategically positioned to provide immediate assistance to those affected. A statement from police confirmed that evacuations were mandated for at least five communities as the risk escalated under the high heat and winds fueling the fires.
In response to the growing emergency, Ben Gvir assured that additional aid would soon be on its way. The Israeli Foreign Ministry reached out to neighboring countries, including Greece and Croatia, for firefighting support, as Netanyahu’s office announced that three aircraft would be arriving soon from Italy and Croatia to bolster firefighting capabilities in the region.