National emergency declared as fires spread near Jerusalem
Multiple media reports have confirmed that Israeli authorities have declared a national emergency in response to fast-moving wildfires near Jerusalem, which began on 30 April 2025.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the fires posed a direct threat to the capital and warned they could reach the outskirts of the city.
He said: “The western wind can push the fire easily towards the outskirts of [Jerusalem] – and even into the city itself.”
Netanyahu added: “We need to bring as many fire engines as possible and create firebreaks well beyond the current fire lines.”
He said: “We are now in a national emergency, not just a local one.”
According to the Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency agency, more than 20 people have received medical treatment, including several with burn injuries and smoke inhalation.
MDA confirmed that two pregnant women and two infants under one year old were among those taken to hospital.
Authorities raised the fire alert level to its highest tier, as emergency teams and soldiers were deployed across central Israel.
Firefighting efforts impacted by wind and extreme heat
According to the Israeli Fire and Rescue Services, firefighting aircraft were temporarily grounded due to weather conditions, with winds reaching speeds of over 60 miles per hour.
At a press conference, Fire Chief Eyal Caspi said: “Our aircraft can’t do anything right now due to the weather conditions… Our goal is to save lives.”
Smoke billowed across highways near Jerusalem, as fires spread through wooded terrain between Latrun and Bet Shemesh.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as emergency vehicles arrived and residents evacuated.
Yuval Aharoni, a resident of Modiin, said: “It’s just very sad because we knew the weather, we kind of knew that would happen and still we feel like they weren’t ready enough with the big planes that can drop large amounts of water.”
Communities located 30 kilometres west of Jerusalem were evacuated, with large flames visible near populated areas.
An AFP journalist at the scene reported that helicopters had been deployed to drop water on the advancing fire line.
Highway closures and mass evacuations ordered
Israeli police closed the main Tel Aviv–Jerusalem highway, Route 1, and asked the public to avoid travelling in the affected region.
Thousands of people were evacuated from at least five communities, and emergency crews searched for individuals who may have remained in their vehicles.
Yosef Aaron, a student who fled the area, said: “A lot of police arrived, a lot of firefighters, but it didn’t really help. The fire had already completely taken over the whole area here.”
Israeli media broadcast footage of firefighting teams trying to contain the blaze near Neve Shalom.
MDA positioned ambulance teams in communities close to the fires, prepared to assist civilians during further evacuations.
Police and military personnel remained deployed throughout the Jerusalem Hills and surrounding forested regions.
Communities evacuate as Independence Day celebrations disrupted
As reported by AP News, the wildfires forced closures on the main highway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem for much of Wednesday, with the road reopening Thursday after smoke had cleared.
Fire crews have battled flames fanned by dry conditions and strong winds, with Israel’s Independence Day celebrations heavily impacted.
Authorities urged the public to cancel outdoor activities and avoid lighting barbecues, which are a common tradition on the national holiday.
The Fire and Rescue Services said on Thursday that 10 firefighting aircraft were operational by morning, and that eight more were scheduled to arrive during the day.
Aerial photographs showed pink flame retardant blanketing trees along the highway, while wide sections of the forest were visibly scorched.
MDA reported that 12 people were hospitalised on Wednesday, and another 10 received treatment in the field.
European countries send aircraft to assist Israel
The Israeli government has accepted assistance from multiple European countries in order to strengthen its aerial firefighting capacity.
According to AP News, Italy, Croatia, Spain, France and Romania are sending aircraft equipped to drop water and flame retardant.
Other countries including North Macedonia and Cyprus have also committed to sending firefighting support.
In total, Israel expects to operate at least 18 aircraft during the response, in addition to the 120 teams already deployed on the ground.
Footage taken on Thursday morning showed emergency vehicles along reopened highways, with smoke still hanging in the air.
Authorities said the current fire is the most destructive since the Mount Carmel fire in 2010, which killed 44 people and destroyed over 12,000 acres of woodland.
Ongoing risks as conditions remain volatile
Israeli firefighters warned that while some containment progress had been made, high winds could cause flare-ups across multiple fire fronts.
The public has been instructed to stay clear of national parks and forests until further notice.
Local news footage showed emergency teams preparing evacuation zones, while helicopters continued flying overhead to suppress embers.
Officials confirmed that Independence Day ceremonies were cancelled in areas most at risk.
Authorities stated that investigations into the fire’s origin remain ongoing.
Police investigate arson as suspect arrested
According to CNN, Israeli police arrested a man in his fifties from the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Umm Tuba on suspicion of attempted arson.
The Police Spokesperson’s Unit said: “Officers from the Jerusalem District arrested a resident of East Jerusalem who was caught in the act of attempting to set fire to a field in the southern part of the city.”
It added: “A search of the suspect’s belongings uncovered a lighter, cotton wool, and additional flammable materials.”
No official connection has yet been made between this individual and the main fires burning west of Jerusalem.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visited the affected area and said authorities were evaluating possible cases of deliberate fire-setting.
He confirmed that international cooperation was being sought to bring further firefighting resources to the region.
Defence minister describes situation as one of national urgency
Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that the wildfires represented a national crisis and required the mobilisation of all available resources.
He said: “We are in a time of national emergency, and all available forces must be mobilised to save lives and bring the fires under control.”
Jerusalem District Fire Commander Shmulik Friedman described the event as possibly the largest wildfire ever recorded in Israel.
He said: “We don’t know at this time what caused the fire. We don’t have even a bit of a clue. We are still not dealing with it. We are far from control.”
Friedman warned that worsening weather conditions could overwhelm suppression efforts and that additional help was urgently needed.
Hospitals activate emergency protocols and relocate patients
Hospitals near Jerusalem began implementing emergency measures on Wednesday to ensure capacity for patients affected by the fires.
Hadassah Medical Center asked the public to avoid the facility unless absolutely necessary.
It began relocating stable patients and prepared to receive those injured due to fire exposure.
Shamir Medical Center and Kaplan Medical Center both confirmed the arrival of multiple patients for smoke inhalation treatment.
United Hatzalah, a volunteer-based emergency organisation, shared footage of its workers helping people escape from smoke-filled vehicles on Route 1.
Authorities said at least 10 communities in the affected area were evacuated, and warned that new evacuations could follow if wind conditions worsened.
Israel wildfires prompt emergency response and international firefighting aid: Summary
Israeli authorities declared a national emergency on 30 April 2025 as wildfires near Jerusalem led to mass evacuations, highway closures and international requests for firefighting aid.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that winds could push the fires into Jerusalem and called for immediate firebreaks to be established beyond the current burn zone.
Defence Minister Israel Katz described the situation as a national emergency and said all available resources must be mobilised.
Magen David Adom confirmed that 23 people received medical care, including burn injuries and smoke inhalation, with 13 hospitalised.
Two pregnant women and two infants under one year old were among those treated.
The main highway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem was shut for much of Wednesday as flames approached Route 1, causing drivers to flee their vehicles.
Fire Chief Eyal Caspi said aerial firefighting operations were suspended due to high winds, while more than 120 ground teams were deployed.
Eyewitnesses reported entire communities evacuated west of Jerusalem, with scenes of heavy smoke, fire and emergency aircraft.
Authorities raised the national alert level, and the public was told to avoid parks and refrain from lighting Independence Day barbecues.
Police arrested a man from East Jerusalem for allegedly attempting to ignite a separate fire, though no direct link to the main fire has been confirmed.
Countries including Italy, Croatia, France, Spain and Romania sent firefighting aircraft, with at least 18 planes expected to operate by the end of the day.
Hospitals began relocating non-critical patients and asked the public to avoid visiting unless essential.
Ten communities in total were evacuated, with further evacuations considered possible depending on changing wind conditions.
Officials stated that the affected region had experienced a similar fire the week before, and noted that full control had not yet been achieved.
Israel’s Fire and Rescue Services said operations will continue until the fires are suppressed across all active fronts.