Forest fires spread in Israel near Jerusalem, where the National Emergency Declaration from Netanyahu drew

Beit Shimish, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Wednesday that fast forest fires near Jerusalem could reach the city, where the situation declared a “national emergency.”

Heavy smoke ascended over highways near Jerusalem, where firefighters rushed to control forest fires that were afflicted with many people and prompted the army to deploy forces and other resources to help.

The Magn David Rescue Agency from Israel reported that hundreds of civilians were at risk of the worst brush fires in years.

MDA said it had provided treatment for about 23 people, 13 of whom were taken to the hospital, and a majority suffering from inhaling smoke and burns. Among them are two pregnant women and two infants under one year, adding this.

He said that the alert level was raised to the highest level.

Speaking from the city of Modin while the fires were burned on the side of the near hill, the resident Yuval Aharouni, 40, said: “It is very sad because we knew the weather.

Netanyahu warned that “Western winds can easily push the fire towards the outskirts of (Jerusalem) – and even in the city itself.”

“We need to bring the largest possible number of fire engines and create fire operations that exceed the current firefighting lines … We are now in a national emergency, not just a local case,” he added. “The priority is now the defense of Jerusalem.”

Police closed the main highway in Jerusalem and postponed the residents along the road with brush fires again in an area where the fire was hit a week ago. Societies that include thousands of people have been cleared.

“Many police and many firefighters arrived, but this did not really help. The fire has already acquired the entire area here,” student Youssef Aaron told AFP on the side of a highway with fire visible in the distance.

Firefighter Eyal Casspei warned at a televised press conference that “our planes cannot do anything at the present time because of the weather conditions … Our goal is to save lives.”

“It seems that we are facing the largest fire in Israel in a decade.”

Police said on X that they had been deployed in the power around the highway in Jerusalem Abyv and the hills of Jerusalem, and they asked the public to “avoid traveling to the area.”

A journalist told AFP at the scene earlier on Wednesday that the fire was beyond the wooded areas near the main road between La Larron and Beit Shemash, and that the helicopters were working to extinguish the fire.

The soldiers arrived at the scene of the accident in the middle of the afternoon, where many drivers abandon their cars to flee the fire.

In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said that since Wednesday, the forces with the search and rescue brigade and a regional unit of Jerusalem were deployed, “along with nearly 50 firefighters from the leadership of the home front, the technological directorate and logistical services”, to work directly with the firefighters in Jerusalem.

The Israeli Defense Army said: “Overnight, dozens of engineering vehicles began working throughout the country to form firefighters to prevent fire from spreading to other regions.”

Israeli media reported that societies, which are about 19 miles away from Jerusalem, which broadcast pictures of firefighting teams fighting fierce fire.

National Security Minister Itamar bin Jafir hinted that intentional burning could be behind fires. Police said that they had arrested a resident of East Jerusalem, who was arrested “in an attempt to set fire to a field in the southern part of the city.”

There was no official announcement linking directly on Monday.

Bin Ghaffir said that the police will fight anyone “involved in intentional terrorism”, while also monitoring the unrest.

MDA said that ambulances were placed near societies near the fires and were ready to provide medical treatment and help the population.

The police said in a statement that the high temperatures and strong winds allowed fires in the areas that are scattered quickly, which led to the evacuation of at least five societies.

Bin Ghafir, who supervises the firefighting administration in Israel, visited the affected area, which is vulnerable to fires at this time of the year.

In the video statement, he said that the work is being done to provide more assistance to the affected areas and to evacuate the civilians.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has contacted nearby countries, including Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Italy and Bulgaria for help.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his solidarity with Israel and the “material support” in a publication on X.

Netanyahu’s office said that three aircraft will arrive close to Italy and Croatia to help fight fires.

With the extension of the employees, Bin Ghafir said that he had ordered the organizers to cancel any evening events related to the Independence Day celebrations on Thursday, which were required to have firefighters.

“The decision aims to re -allocate the forces to deal with the fire … and prepare for the worsening weather conditions, according to expectations,” a statement said.