Raging wildfires have prompted the Israeli government to close major roads, evacuate towns near Jerusalem, and seek international assistance as firefighters contend with some of the most severe blazes in recent years.
The fires disrupted Israel’s annual memorial day for fallen soldiers, a significant date in the national calendar, with television broadcasts of solemn ceremonies being replaced by images of evacuees fleeing along a major highway.
Many planned celebrations for Israel’s Independence Day, scheduled for Thursday, were canceled due to the expanding fires and adverse weather conditions, including high winds. The cause of the wildfires remains unclear.
Eyal Caspi, head of Israel’s fire and rescue service, described the situation as “one of the toughest events” he could recall, noting that firefighting aircraft struggled to operate under challenging conditions.
While there have been no reported fatalities, the Magen David Adom emergency rescue service indicated that at least 19 individuals were treated for minor injuries.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a video statement, attributed the severity of the fires to a combination of strong winds and dry conditions, which he labeled a “deadly combination.”
As of Wednesday evening, the wildfires continued to spread, prompting Israel to request international aid from countries including Britain, France, Greece, and Italy.
The Palestinian Authority has offered assistance in extinguishing the fires, with senior official Hussein al-Sheikh stating their willingness to help. In 2021, Palestinian firefighters collaborated with Israeli teams to combat a similar wildfire near Jerusalem.
Israeli officials have not commented on whether they will accept the Palestinian offer for assistance.
Caspi had previously remarked that climate change likely exacerbated the intensity of Israel's wildfires, citing a recent fire that advanced at a rate of eight meters per second. He emphasized the reality of global warming during a news conference held over the weekend.