Large wildfire near Jerusalem forces evacuations, closes major highway

Jerusalem: Israel has raised its emergency alert to the highest level and appealed for international assistance as fast-spreading wildfires erupted in the hills west of Jerusalem on Wednesday.

Footage shared on social media showed drivers fleeing on foot as flames and thick black smoke loomed in the distance.

The Fire and Rescue Services said about 120 teams from across the country, supported by firefighting planes and helicopters, were deployed to contain the flames, and another 22 teams were on their way.

Five communities were evacuated, and others were instructed to prepare for possible evacuation. A section of the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway was closed by the police.

The Magen David Adom medical emergency service said in a statement that medics were treating 12 people for mild smoke inhalation, including two babies.

Fire and Rescue Authority Commissioner Eyal Caspi said he had activated the fire service's national emergency plans and raised the alert level to its highest. "Following a situational assessment, firefighting teams were being mobilized from all districts nationwide," he said.

Eyal Cohen, deputy commander of the Jerusalem District of the Fire and Rescue Authority, said Israel had requested firefighting assistance from regional neighbors. State-owned Kan TV reported that the countries include Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, and Italy.

The Israel Defense Forces said the military has sent forces to firefighting and evacuation, adding that "aerial support has also been deployed to provide a real-time operational picture."

Unseasonably high temperatures of around 35 degrees Celsius, combined with wind gusts of up to 70 km per hour, were fanning the flames and complicating firefighting efforts, officials said.

As Israel marks Memorial Day for fallen soldiers from sunset, April 29, to nightfall, April 30 this year, ceremonies at the Latrun Armored Corps Memorial were cancelled due to the wildfire. The Defense Ministry urged the public to avoid traveling to military cemeteries, where tens of thousands are expected to gather for commemorative events.