Israel’s worst wildfires in years have prompted mass evacuations and military deployment, with the government scrambling to control the fires threatening Jerusalem

Israel is battling the most severe wildfires in a decade, with blazes threatening to engulf areas near Jerusalem. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a “national emergency” on Wednesday as the fires continued to spread rapidly, causing injuries, widespread damage, and mass evacuations.

The fires, fueled by extreme heat and strong winds, have become a significant crisis, with flames threatening to reach Jerusalem itself. Netanyahu warned that the fires, which had already reached the outskirts of the city, could be pushed towards Jerusalem by shifting winds. “We need to bring as many fire engines as possible and create firebreaks well beyond the current fire lines. The priority right now is defending Jerusalem,” he stated in a video message.

In the face of this escalating crisis, Israeli firefighters have been struggling to contain the fires, which have already injured several people. Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) rescue agency reported that approximately 23 individuals were treated for smoke inhalation and burns, with 13 taken to hospitals. Among the injured were two pregnant women and two infants, prompting the MDA to raise the alert level to the highest tier.

The fires are spreading quickly through central Israel, near towns like Modiin and Bet Shemesh, with large areas of forest and vegetation engulfed in flames. As the fires ravage the region, residents have expressed frustration over the insufficient response. Yuval Aharoni, a local resident, stated, “It’s just very sad because we knew the weather, we kind of knew that would happen, and still we feel like they weren’t ready enough with the big planes that can drop large amounts of water.”

The situation has become dire enough that Israel’s military has been called in to assist with firefighting efforts. Soldiers, along with police and fire services, have been deployed to evacuate civilians from at least five communities, with some areas located just 30 kilometres from Jerusalem. The Israeli authorities have closed the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway and evacuated residents along the route.

“We are facing the largest fire in Israel in a decade,” said Eyal Caspi, the country’s fire chief, who warned that the current weather conditions, including extreme winds, were hampering firefighting efforts.

In addition to the military response, Netanyahu’s office confirmed that three aircraft from Italy and Croatia would soon arrive to assist with firefighting operations. The government has also reached out to neighbouring countries, including Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Italy, and Bulgaria, to request further help in battling the fires.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who oversees Israel’s fire department, visited the affected areas and suggested that arson could be a factor in the outbreak of the fires. Police have arrested a resident of East Jerusalem who was allegedly attempting to set fire to a field in the southern part of the city. However, no official connection between the arrest and the broader fires has been made.

The fires have wreaked havoc on the country’s landscapes, with flames spreading across wooded areas and posing a significant threat to local communities. The air is thick with smoke, creating hazardous conditions for both residents and firefighters. Authorities have urged the public to avoid travelling in affected areas, and MDA teams have been positioned to provide medical care and assist with evacuations.

With high temperatures and strong winds persisting, Israel is bracing for further challenges in containing the blazes. As of now, the fires have not been fully brought under control, and the situation remains critical. The government is focused on coordinating efforts to protect Jerusalem and manage the aftermath of what has become one of the worst fire seasons in recent memory.