Dangerous wildfires have ignited across central Israel, resulting in the closure of significant highways and prompting the government to seek help from international firefighting teams. The combination of dry weather and strong winds has intensified the blazes, posing a threat to nearby communities approximately 25 kilometers from Jerusalem and enveloping much of the central region in a thick layer of smoke.
Footage circulated on social media showed the fire spreading dangerously close to Highway 1, the main route linking Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, forcing drivers to abandon their vehicles and flee for safety. Some individuals were seen hitching rides on tow trucks that were navigating through the affected area. Residents from several communities in the Jerusalem Hills, such as Neve Shalom, Mevo Horon, and Eshtaol, have been evacuated.
In response to the situation, the Israeli government has reached out to Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Italy, and Bulgaria for firefighting support, with assistance expected to begin arriving soon. Reports indicate that 13 individuals, including two pregnant women and two infants, have been hospitalized for smoke inhalation and burns.
The military has mobilized to assist in firefighting efforts, with search and rescue teams working alongside local police and firefighters in the affected areas. Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his support on social media for the teams working to control the fires and ensure residents' safety and conveyed gratitude to countries offering aid during this crisis.
As the domestic spy agency Shin Bet gets involved in the investigation into the fires' origins, concerns of arson have arisen. Authorities have arrested a man in his 50s from a Palestinian neighborhood in East Jerusalem on suspicions of attempting to ignite another fire. The ongoing situation has caused the cancellation of several Memorial Day services honoring fallen IDF soldiers and events planned for Independence Day.
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