• Fire chief says wildfires may be ‘largest in Israel’s history’

ANKARA / ISTANBUL

At least 20 people were injured from smoke inhalation as Israeli authorities evacuated several towns and closed a major highway in central Israel on Wednesday amid wildfires caused by high temperatures, with Tel Aviv requesting international assistance to contain the rapidly spreading flames.

🔥 Israeli police closed the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway due to wildfires that broke out a week ago, injuring 12

🆘 Trapped on the highway, civilians had to walk towards the paths that the firefighters opened, while some were picked up by ambulances or tow trucks in the area… pic.twitter.com/PhGSuCq9Rk

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) April 30, 2025

Israel's Channel 12 said the fires now exceed the scale of the devastating 2010 Mount Carmel forest fire.

Assaf Harofeh Hospital confirmed receiving 10 people for treatment, KAN added.

Earlier, Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth daily said that 12 people were injured in the raging fires.

🔥 Israel appeals for international help to contain fast-moving flames between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv

🚒 Authorities have evacuated several towns and closed a major highway in central Israel as wildfires fuelled by high temperatures continue https://t.co/mbNbJgVI51 pic.twitter.com/Lfx9dRulBV

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) April 30, 2025

Estimates from the Jewish National Fund indicated that the current wildfires in the Jerusalem hills have destroyed approximately 11,700 dunams (2,891 acres) of forest land, according to the newspaper.

A statement by the Fire and Rescue Service said the communities of Neveh Shalom, Beko'a, Ta'oz, Nachshon, and Mesilat Tzion were evacuated.

The evacuations were triggered by raging fires that erupted in several areas due to soaring temperatures and strong wind,s as 111 firefighting teams and 11 aircraft battled to extinguish the flames.

KAN also reported a raging fire in the Eshtaol Forest between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

According to KAN, authorities issued instructions for possible evacuations of more communities due to the wildfires.

The Fire and Rescue Service raised its alert level to its highest point due to the raging fires and asked for international help to extinguish the flames between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Authorities also closed the main highway connecting the two cities as a precaution.

Israel has requested firefighting aircraft from Greece, Croatia, Italy, and the Greek Cypriot Administration to help put out the fires between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, KAN said.

Channel 7 reported that air force bases are prepared to accommodate foreign militaries' firefighting planes if necessary.

Due to the fires, train services between Ashdod and Ashkelon in the south had been suspended, forcing passengers to disembark, the Israel Hayom daily reported.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Minister of Transport Miri Regev issued directions to concerned authorities that diesel-powered trains be prepared for deployment if the country's electrical grid is compromised by ongoing wildfires, Israeli Army Radio reported.

Jerusalem District Fire Department Commander Shmulik Friedman said these wildfires may be ‘the largest in Israel’s history.

Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a nationwide state of emergency earlier in the day and ordered the army to assist firefighters in the Jerusalem Hills region.

Channel 12 said that Israel canceled all scheduled Independence Day celebrations due to the massive wildfires.

Independence Day, marking the 1948 establishment of Israel, coincides with Palestinian commemorations of the Nakba, referring to the mass displacement of Palestinians during that period when Zionist gangs carried out massacres against civilians.​​​​​​​

Last week, Israeli authorities evacuated residents from several towns in central Israel amid widespread wildfires triggered by soaring temperatures and strong winds, which destroyed 10,000 dunams (2,471 acres) and injured nine people.