The wildfire response involved over 150 firefighting teams and led to evacuations across multiple towns in central Israel, with air support from European nations.
Fires in Central Israel Mostly Controlled After Mass Evacuations
Fires in Central Israel Mostly Controlled After Mass Evacuations
A national emergency declared as firefighters battle blazes between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Fires that began spreading through central Israel earlier in the week are now largely under control, according to the Israeli Fire and Rescue Authority. The blazes devastated around 20 square kilometers (7.7 square miles) of land in the Latrun region, situated between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
More than 150 firefighting teams have been engaged in combating the wildfires, which have led to the hospitalization of at least 12 individuals for smoke inhalation. Remarkably, there have been no reported fatalities, although 17 firefighters sustained injuries, as noted by Israeli broadcaster Kan. The fires were exacerbated by hot, dry weather and strong winds, prompting a senior fire authority official to anticipate potential flare-ups.
"I've been in the service for 24 years, and I've seen many fires," remarked Shlomi Harush, a deputy commander from the Ayalon fire station. "This is undeniably one of the toughest fires I've encountered."
In response to the wildfires, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a national emergency and ordered the evacuation of hundreds of residents. However, an evacuation mandate for 12 towns near Jerusalem has recently been rescinded as conditions improved.
In a spirit of solidarity, countries such as France, Italy, and Spain dispatched aerial support to help manage the raging flames. The wildfires forced the cancellation of numerous events scheduled for Israel's Independence Day on Thursday, and a nationwide prohibition against lighting fires for traditional barbecues was enforced.
Major roadways, including the highway connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, have since reopened. Eyewitness accounts shared online depicted chaotic scenes where individuals abandoned their vehicles as thick smoke and flames engulfed the area.
Conflicting reports have emerged surrounding the ignitions of the fires: Israeli President Isaac Herzog remarked that they reflect the broader climate crisis, while Netanyahu accused arsonists of intentional wrongdoing, claiming that 18 individuals were apprehended. However, Israeli police later clarified that only three suspects remain in custody, and these individuals are not associated with the wildfires.
