Egypt Daily News – The occupied Jerusalem mountain region is witnessing large-scale wildfires described as among the worst in recent years. Israeli authorities have declared a state of emergency and launched mass evacuations of population centers threatened by the flames, amid extremely harsh weather conditions that are hindering firefighting efforts and increasing the risk of the fires spreading further.
Israel’s National Security Directorate announced it had secured commitments for three “Candair” firefighting planes from Italy and Croatia, and is in talks with other countries, including Greece and Cyprus for aerial firefighting support. Emergency teams are preparing to receive this assistance in the coming hours.
In a related field development, Israeli police closed Highway 1, one of the region’s main arteries, after flames reached the road. The Ministry of Transport and the “Netivei Israel” company reported that special teams dismantled sections of the road’s safety fence to allow emergency vehicles to pass through more easily.
Heavy police vehicles have been deployed to assist with evacuations and firefighting on the ground.
Reports indicate that the fires have spread across wide areas, including Neve Shalom, Beit Meir, Nahshon, Mevo Horon, the Latrun complex, and Canada Park, prompting the evacuation of thousands of residents. Police have also issued warnings to prepare for further evacuations if necessary. The Fire and Rescue Authority said 105 firefighting teams and 12 aircraft are working to contain the blaze.
Meteorological forecasts show wind speeds between 60 and 70 kilometers per hour, making fire control extremely difficult. Winds are expected to die down later this evening, but may intensify again tomorrow, potentially reigniting the threat of further spread.
At Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital, located near affected areas, the public has been asked not to come except in emergencies. Non-critical patients have been evacuated, and the medical staff is prepared to receive the injured. Meanwhile, Shamir Medical Center confirmed receiving eight injured individuals.
Police also arrested a man in his fifties from the Um Tuba neighborhood, who was allegedly trying to deliberately set fire to an open field south of occupied Jerusalem. Fire-starting materials were confiscated from him, and an investigation is underway.
In light of these developments, a number of Independence Day celebrations were suspended in cities including Ashkelon, Beersheba, Lod, Ariel, Modi’in, Ma’ale Adumim, and Mevaseret Zion, following recommendations from security and emergency authorities. The torch-lighting ceremony scheduled for tonight was also canceled.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Israel has submitted urgent requests for international assistance from at least five countries. The Home Front Command and the military are preparing to support firefighting and rescue operations, in coordination with police and emergency services. Helicopters are conducting aerial searches for trapped individuals.
The head of the firefighting forces in the occupied Jerusalem area described the blaze as “unprecedented in its behavior and scale,” adding that any settlement facing imminent danger will be evacuated immediately.
