Jerusalem wildfires force evacuations and disrupt transport
On Wednesday, to the west of Jerusalem, forest fires erupted, necessitating the evacuation of several nearby towns. The main road to Tel Aviv and the railway line were closed. The firefighting operation includes 12 aircraft and 150 fire crews.
What do you need to know?
- Where and when did the fires break out? The forest fires started on Wednesday, west of Jerusalem, near the town of Eshtaol.
- What actions have been taken? Several towns have been evacuated, the main road and railway line were closed, and 12 aircraft along with 150 fire crews were deployed to tackle the fires.
- What are the consequences of the fires? Twelve people, including two children, sustained minor injuries.
Which towns were evacuated?
The forest fires near Jerusalem led to the evacuation of residents from several towns, including Neve Shalom, Bekoa, Taoz, and Naharshon. The fires also pose a threat to the suburbs of the city of Beit Shemesh, which has tens of thousands of residents. Several landscape parks and the Trappist monastery in Latrun were also closed.
What actions have been taken in fighting the fire?
Defence Minister Israel Katz declared a state of emergency and deployed the military to combat the fires. Firefighters from across the country are engaged in the firefighting operation.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has requested assistance from Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, and Italy. Three firefighting aircraft from Italy and Croatia are already en route to Israel.
What are the further consequences of the fires?
Because of the fires, the torch-lighting ceremony on Mount Herzl, which marks the transition from Memorial Day to Independence Day, was cancelled. In many cities, including Tel Aviv, ceremonies dedicated to fallen soldiers and Independence Day were cancelled.
The fires resulted in twelve people, including two children, suffering minor injuries. Nearby hospitals are on high alert to offer assistance to potential casualties, and they have requested that individuals with other conditions seek help at alternative facilities for the time being.
Firefighters are also tackling blazes in other parts of Israel, including in the north. Due to another fire, the city of Elad, located to the east of Tel Aviv, was partially evacuated.
Previous major forest fires around Jerusalem occurred last week, with media reports indicating that they were the largest in years.
