Israel Struck by 'Largest Ever' Wildfires
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a national emergency in response to the wildfires affecting the area near Jerusalem. Israeli firefighters are working tirelessly to extinguish wildfires that have been burning for two days in...
TroibNews 
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a national emergency in response to the wildfires affecting the area near Jerusalem.
Israeli firefighters are working tirelessly to extinguish wildfires that have been burning for two days in the region. Emergency services have labeled these fires as some of the “largest ever” recorded in the country.
The wildfires ignited on Wednesday along the primary highway connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, rapidly escalating due to high temperatures and strong winds.
As a result, the main highway along with several other routes were closed, forcing evacuations in at least ten communities that faced “walls of flame,” according to witnesses.
In total, over 160 firefighting teams and 12 aircraft have been mobilized to combat the wildfires.
During a statement on Wednesday evening, Netanyahu declared, “we are now in a national emergency, not just a local one,” emphasizing that “defending Jerusalem” was crucial.
Firefighters have continued their efforts throughout the night, successfully reopening the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway and allowing residents of several settlements to return home on Thursday. However, the fire service acknowledged that “at this stage we still have not gained control” of the situation.
Local media reports indicate that at least 12 civilians and 17 firefighters, including two pregnant women, have required hospitalization due to smoke inhalation and burns.
As of Thursday, approximately 5,000 acres have been burned, including around 3,200 acres of forest. Canada Park, located near Modi’in, has been highlighted by the Jewish National Fund as the area suffering the most damage.
Netanyahu also reported that 18 individuals had been arrested on suspicion of arson linked to the fires. However, sources from the police informed local media that only three individuals had been detained, and those individuals were attempting to ignite fires in areas not near Jerusalem.
The wildfires prompted Israeli authorities to scale back the Independence Day celebrations, taking place on April 30 and May 1. The traditional torch-lighting ceremony scheduled in Jerusalem was canceled.
The chairman of the Israel Fire and Air Rescue Association, Dov Ganem, has criticized the government for its lack of preparedness in dealing with such significant disasters. Ganem stated to Walla that he had long advocated for the development of enhanced aerial firefighting capabilities but claimed that officials have disregarded his requests.
Countries such as Croatia, Cyprus, Italy, and Greece are sending assistance to help combat the situation.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
Israeli firefighters are working tirelessly to extinguish wildfires that have been burning for two days in the region. Emergency services have labeled these fires as some of the “largest ever” recorded in the country.
The wildfires ignited on Wednesday along the primary highway connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, rapidly escalating due to high temperatures and strong winds.
As a result, the main highway along with several other routes were closed, forcing evacuations in at least ten communities that faced “walls of flame,” according to witnesses.
In total, over 160 firefighting teams and 12 aircraft have been mobilized to combat the wildfires.
During a statement on Wednesday evening, Netanyahu declared, “we are now in a national emergency, not just a local one,” emphasizing that “defending Jerusalem” was crucial.
Firefighters have continued their efforts throughout the night, successfully reopening the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway and allowing residents of several settlements to return home on Thursday. However, the fire service acknowledged that “at this stage we still have not gained control” of the situation.
Local media reports indicate that at least 12 civilians and 17 firefighters, including two pregnant women, have required hospitalization due to smoke inhalation and burns.
As of Thursday, approximately 5,000 acres have been burned, including around 3,200 acres of forest. Canada Park, located near Modi’in, has been highlighted by the Jewish National Fund as the area suffering the most damage.
Netanyahu also reported that 18 individuals had been arrested on suspicion of arson linked to the fires. However, sources from the police informed local media that only three individuals had been detained, and those individuals were attempting to ignite fires in areas not near Jerusalem.
The wildfires prompted Israeli authorities to scale back the Independence Day celebrations, taking place on April 30 and May 1. The traditional torch-lighting ceremony scheduled in Jerusalem was canceled.
The chairman of the Israel Fire and Air Rescue Association, Dov Ganem, has criticized the government for its lack of preparedness in dealing with such significant disasters. Ganem stated to Walla that he had long advocated for the development of enhanced aerial firefighting capabilities but claimed that officials have disregarded his requests.
Countries such as Croatia, Cyprus, Italy, and Greece are sending assistance to help combat the situation.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
