Tel Aviv (PNP) A massive wildfire has erupted near the occupied city of Jerusalem, marking what officials are calling the largest fire in Israel’s history. The blaze, fueled by scorching temperatures and strong winds, has injured at least 23 people and forced the evacuation of several towns, while the main highway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv has been shut down. In response, Israel has issued urgent appeals for international assistance to control the escalating disaster.
wildfire
According to international media reports, the wildfire began on Wednesday amidst an intense heatwave. Israeli authorities have since evacuated several towns in central Israel and closed down major transport routes, including a key highway connecting Jerusalem to Tel Aviv.
Channel 12, a leading Israeli news outlet, reported that the wildfire has now surpassed the 2010 Carmel forest fire in terms of its scale and severity. The official broadcaster KAN stated that at least 20 people have been injured, mostly due to smoke inhalation, while some have suffered burns. The Asaf Harofeh Hospital, near Jerusalem, confirmed that it has treated at least 10 individuals.
Earlier, the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported 12 injuries, but the numbers have since increased. The Fire and Rescue Authority announced that residents from several towns—including Neve Shalom, Beit Meir, Taoz, Nataf, and Mesilat Zion—have been evacuated to safer locations as a precautionary measure.
Due to the rising temperatures and fast-moving winds, the fire spread rapidly across forested regions and residential areas. The firefighting operation now involves 111 ground teams and 11 aircraft, which are working tirelessly to contain the blaze. Reports indicate that the fire has also engulfed the Eshtaol forest region between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, raising concerns of further evacuations.
Rescue Service
The Fire and Rescue Service has raised the threat level to its highest tier and reiterated the need for urgent global assistance. As a result, the Israeli government has formally reached out to several countries including Greece, Croatia, Italy, and the Greek Cypriot administration for help in firefighting efforts. Channel 7 reported that the Israeli Air Force is ready to host foreign firefighting aircraft if necessary.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has begun diplomatic outreach to coordinate international aid. According to his office, he has contacted his counterparts in the United Kingdom, France, Czech Republic, Sweden, Argentina, Spain, North Macedonia, and Azerbaijan. In a joint statement, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of National Security, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed formal aid requests have been submitted to Greece, Cyprus, Croatia,
The wildfire has also severely affected public transportation. Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom reported that the fire has caused the suspension of train services between Ashdod and Ashkelon in the south, forcing passengers to disembark mid-journey. In response, Transport Minister Miri Regev has instructed authorities to prepare diesel-powered trains in case the electric grid is damaged by the fires.
Jerusalem District Fire
Jerusalem District Fire and Rescue Commander Shmulik Friedman stated, “This could be the largest wildfire in the history of Israel,” highlighting the unprecedented scale of the emergency. Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared a nationwide emergency and ordered the deployment of military personnel to assist firefighters in the hilly regions around Jerusalem.
Due to the seriousness of the situation, Channel 12 reported that all Independence Day celebrations have been canceled. Last week, emergency officials had already evacuated thousands of residents from towns in central Israel after earlier wildfires destroyed over 10,000 dunams (2,500 acres) of land and injured nine people.
Thick smoke has blanketed the highways near Jerusalem as firefighters continue their efforts to contain the flames. Defense Minister Katz emphasized the urgency by declaring the situation a “national emergency,” stating that all available forces must be mobilized to save lives and control the fire.
Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency medical service confirmed that it has provided treatment to 23 people, 13 of whom were transported to hospitals. Most of the patients suffered from smoke inhalation or burns. Among them are two pregnant women and two infants under one year of age.
Katz, in a statement from his ministry, said, “We are facing a national emergency.
Tel Aviv for safety
As the fire continues to rage, police have closed off the main highway connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv for safety. Residents in the vicinity have been moved to safer locations. The area had already been hit by fires a week earlier, and now the flames have returned with even greater intensity. Thousands of homes have been evacuated, and emergency response teams remain on high alert.
While efforts continue to combat the wildfire, the nation remains on edge, with fears that worsening weather conditions could further escalate the crisis. The full extent of the damage is yet to be determined, but what is clear is that Israel is grappling with one of the most severe natural disasters in its recent history.
While efforts continue to combat the wildfire, the nation remains on edge, with fears that worsening weather conditions could further escalate the crisis. The full extent of the damage is yet to be determined, but what is clear is that Israel is grappling with one of the most severe natural disasters in its recent history.
As the flames continue to devour forests and threaten residential areas near occupied Jerusalem, Israel is entering a critical phase in what has become an environmental and humanitarian emergency. The country’s leadership, emergency services, and military forces are fully mobilized, yet the scale and intensity of the wildfire have exposed significant challenges in responding to natural disasters of this magnitude. With thousands of people evacuated, over 20 injured—many due to smoke inhalation—and essential infrastructure like highways and train routes disrupted, the nation finds itself struggling to cope.
disruption of train services
The closure of the main Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway and the disruption of train services between Ashdod and Ashkelon have affected mobility and emergency logistics, making it even harder for rescue operations to run smoothly.
