Israel has declared a national emergency as wildfires, believed to be the largest in the country’s history, continue to rage near Jerusalem, posing a serious threat to lives and property.
Firefighters, military personnel, and emergency services are struggling to contain the blazes, which have already caused widespread destruction, Mail Online reports.
The fires began on Tuesday morning near Mesilat Zion, west of Jerusalem, and have spread rapidly due to strong winds, some reaching speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour.
Shmulik Friedman, commander of the Fire and Rescue Service’s Jerusalem District, described the situation as dire.
“We are amidst a very large wildfire, maybe the largest there has ever been in this country,” he said.
“Regarding our activity, it will continue for a very long time. We are far from having control.”
Thick smoke has overwhelmed major highways, forcing motorists to abandon their vehicles. The military has been deployed to assist with firefighting efforts, but authorities have warned that conditions are likely to worsen as winds continue to fuel the flames.
“Our aircraft can’t do anything right now due to the weather conditions… Our goal is to save lives,” said Fire Chief Eyal Caspi.
Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency rescue service, reported that at least 23 people have been treated for injuries, with hundreds more at risk from the fires.
Despite the ongoing efforts, the cause of the fires remains unknown, and investigations are ongoing. Police have arrested three individuals in connection with the blaze, but it is too early to determine their involvement.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation, emphasising the severity of the situation. “We are now in a national emergency, not just a local one,” Netanyahu stated.
“This wave of fires is a threat to human life, to communities – and to Jerusalem. This is not just a fire in the field, it is a national danger.”
Defence Minister Israel Katz echoed the urgency, calling for the mobilisation of all available resources. “We are facing a national emergency, and all available forces must be mobilised to save lives and bring the fires under control,” he said.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has contacted several international counterparts, including officials in the UK, France, and Spain, to request aerial assistance in combating the wildfires.
While emergency teams continue to battle the blazes, criticism has been directed at the government for its lack of preparation in the face of such large-scale fires. Dov Ganem, chairman of the Israel Fire and Air Rescue Association, said he had been warning for 18 years about the country’s inadequate firefighting capabilities.
Former Ministry of Internal Security official Tomer Lotan also revealed that his proposal to acquire Blackhawk firefighting helicopters had been blocked.
“Of course, it was like talking to a wall,” he said.
As the fires rage on, social media has seen a disturbing trend of posts celebrating the disaster, with some users hailing it as divine retribution.
Far-right politician Zvi Sukkot also called for a curfew to be imposed on Palestinian villages in the West Bank, citing concerns that more fires could be deliberately set.
