Our situation remains ongoing and challenging; control is still far from achieved.Thick smoke has engulfed major highways, forcing many motorists to abandon their vehicles.
The military has been deployed to assist with firefighting efforts, but authorities warn that conditions are expected to worsen as wind speeds continue to fan the flames.Fire Chief Eyal Caspi stated, “Our aircraft are currently unable to operate due to weather conditions… Our primary goal remains saving lives.”Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency rescue service, reported that at least 23 individuals have been treated for injuries, with hundreds more still at risk from the fires.
The cause of the fires remains unknown, with investigations ongoing. Police have detained three individuals in connection with the incident, but their involvement is yet to be determined.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation, emphasizing the gravity of the situation: “We are now in a national emergency, not just a local one.
This wave of fires threatens lives, communities, and Jerusalem itself. It’s not merely a fire in the fields; it’s a matter of national danger.”Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed this sense of urgency, calling for the mobilization of all available resources: “We face a national crisis, and all forces must be deployed to save lives and bring the fires under control.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has reached out to international counterparts in the UK, France, and Spain, requesting aerial assistance to combat the wildfires.Despite ongoing firefighting efforts, criticism has been directed at the government regarding preparedness. Dov Ganem, chairman of the Israel Fire and Air Rescue Association, warned that he had been raising concerns about the country’s inadequate firefighting capabilities for 18 years.
Former Ministry of Internal Security official Tomer Lotan revealed that his proposal to acquire Blackhawk firefighting helicopters had been blocked, describing the situation as “like talking to a wall.
As the fires continue to rage, social media platforms have seen disturbing posts celebrating the disaster, with some users interpreting it as divine retribution. Additionally, far-right politician Zvi Sukkot called for a curfew on Palestinian villages in the West Bank, citing fears that some fires might be deliberately set.
Firefighters, military personnel, and emergency services are struggling to contain the fires, which have already caused extensive destruction, according to Mail Online.Israel has declared a national emergency as the wildfires—believed to be the largest in the country’s history—continue to threaten lives and property near Jerusalem.
The fires, which started Tuesday morning near Mesilat Zion west of Jerusalem, have spread rapidly, fueled by winds reaching up to 100 kilometers 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, possibly the largest in the country’s history,” he said.
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