Israel’s largest forest fire in a decade has been brought under control after raging near Jerusalem and forcing mass evacuations. The blaze, which erupted along the main Jerusalem–Tel Aviv highway on Wednesday, led to road closures and threatened residential areas, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare a “national emergency.”
Fire Contained, Roads Reopen
By Thursday, firefighting officials confirmed the fire was largely under control, although small hotspots remained. Shlomi Harush, a senior firefighting official, said crews remained in the field as strong winds posed a continued risk of reignition. Authorities reopened all major roads, including the key Jerusalem–Tel Aviv route, and allowed residents of evacuated areas like Mavo Horon to return home.
Local Response and Community Support
Smoke continued to rise in areas like Latrun, just 25 kilometers from Jerusalem, where civilians joined the firefighting effort. “We used home hoses and municipal water taps to stop the flames,” said Ahmad Ibrahim, a resident of nearby Abu Ghosh. His community’s swift response helped prevent the fire from reaching homes.
Massive Mobilization
Israel deployed 163 ground crews and 12 aircraft to battle the fire, which scorched about 13,000 hectares of forest. The military supported efforts with engineering vehicles and around 50 firetrucks. The air force also joined the operation, forming firebreaks to slow the blaze’s spread.
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Injuries and Suspicions of Arson
At least 23 civilians suffered injuries, mostly from smoke inhalation, while 17 firefighters were hurt, according to public reports. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir suggested arson might be involved. Netanyahu later revealed that 18 suspects had been detained, one caught while allegedly setting fires.
Global Aid on the Way
To bolster local efforts, firefighting aircraft from Croatia, France, Italy, Romania, and Spain were expected to arrive. Though wildfires are not common in Israel during this season, officials acknowledged they were caught unprepared. “We knew the weather risk, but the response wasn’t fast enough,” said evacuee Yuval Aharoni.
Despite lingering concerns, Independence Day celebrations resumed on Thursday, signaling cautious optimism as the flames were finally tamed.
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