Israel declared a wildfire emergency on Thursday after massive wildfires forced evacuations and closed roads west of Jerusalem. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a national emergency as flames swept through forests and fields fueled by strong winds.
Firefighters worked overnight to reopen the key Jerusalem Tel Aviv highway, which police had shut down to protect fleeing residents. More than 150 firefighting teams and 12 aircraft battled the blazes that threatened seven towns, prompting thousands to evacuate urgently.
Israel’s fire service confirmed that 23 people were treated for injuries mainly from smoke inhalation and burns sustained on Wednesday. Seventeen firefighters were also injured, according to the country’s public broadcaster Kan, as they fought stubborn flames in extreme heat.
The military deployed dozens of engineering vehicles overnight, cutting containment lines to prevent the fires from spreading into Jerusalem. Air Force planes dropped fire retardant as ground crews pushed through the night to regain control of the dangerous situation.
European allies, including Italy, Cyprus, and Spain, sent firefighting planes to help Israel tackle what officials called a historic wildfire crisis. Jerusalem’s district fire commander, Shmulik Friedman, described the fires as possibly the largest Israel has ever faced.
Police announced Thursday morning that all major roads, including the vital Jerusalem Tel Aviv route, had been successfully reopened to traffic. Despite progress, officials said fires raged in eleven hotspots near Jerusalem, keeping several communities under active evacuation orders.
Political tensions have heightened the emergency, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir suggesting arson, though no evidence has been presented. Israel’s Arutz Sheva reported that police detained 18 suspects on suspicion of arson, raising concerns over deliberate acts fueling the crisis.
High winds and heat forced Israel to cancel many Independence Day celebrations, replacing public events with prerecorded ceremonies on television. Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, warned that the fires highlight a worsening climate crisis, urging unity during this time of national emergency.
