Raging wildfires near Jerusalem prompt army deployment
Dark plumes of smoke billowed above highways near Jerusalem on Wednesday as rapidly spreading wildfires caused several injuries and prompted Defence Minister Israel Katz to declare the situation a "national emergency".
Israel's Magen David Adom rescue agency reported that hundreds of civilians were at risk from the worst brushfires in years, as Katz ordered troops to deploy to support firefighters.
MDA said it had provided treatment to around 22 people, with 12 taken to hospital, the majority suffering from smoke inhalation. It added the alert level had been raised to the highest level.
"We are facing a national emergency, and all available forces must be mobilised to save lives and bring the fires under control," Katz said in a statement from his ministry.
Police closed the main Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway and evacuated residents along the route as brushfires broke out in an area ravaged by blazes a week ago.
"Large police forces are operating on the ground due to the spread of fires in the area of Route 1 and the Jerusalem Hills. The public is requested to avoid travelling to the area," the police said in a post on X.
An AFP journalist at the scene said the fire was raging in wooded areas near the main road between Latrun and Beit Shemesh and that helicopters were working to extinguish the flames.
Soldiers arrived on the scene in the middle of the afternoon, with many drivers abandoning their vehicles and fleeing as huge clouds of dark smoke billowed from the fire.
AFP photos showed people sitting on the back of a recovery vehicle as they were evacuated from a highway.
Communities located about 30 kilometres (19 miles) west of Jerusalem were evacuated, Israeli media reported, airing images of firefighting teams battling fierce flames.
- 'Worsening weather conditions' -
MDA emergency services said ambulance teams had been positioned near communities close to the fires and were ready to provide medical treatment and assist residents.
A motorcycle unit was ready to offer medical assistance to citizens stuck in heavy traffic, the agency added.
High temperatures and strong winds have allowed the fires in wooded areas to spread quickly, prompting evacuations from at least five communities, the police said in a statement.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who oversees Israel's fire department, visited the affected area, which is prone to wildfires at this time of year.
In a video statement, he said work was being done to bring more assistance to the affected areas and evacuate stranded civilians.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said three aircraft would arrive soon from Italy and Croatia to help fight the fires.
Fire and rescue services said that forces would not be able to participate in securing events for Israel's upcoming Independence Day, which could lead to the cancellation of events.
Ben Gvir confirmed he had instructed all organisers of events in the evening requiring the presence of firefighting forces "to cancel the events".
"The decision is aimed at reallocating forces to deal with the fire, strengthening firefighting units in the Jerusalem district, and preparing for the worsening weather conditions according to forecasts," a statement said.
Due to the weather conditions, the Israeli minister responsible for arranging national ceremonies, Miri Regev, said the main Independence Day event planned for Wednesday evening in Jerusalem was cancelled.
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