Said Amori and Rania Abu Shamala
01 May 2025•Update: 02 May 2025
JERUSALEM / ISTANBUL
Israel announced Thursday that a massive wildfire that erupted in the Jerusalem area had been brought under control after nearly 30 hours and the destruction of 20,000 dunams (4,942 acres).
The Fire and Rescue Authority declared full control over the massive fire that erupted in the Jerusalem Hills on Wednesday, according to Israel's public broadcaster KAN and Channel 12.
The state broadcaster said a special investigation team has been formed to determine the cause.
Contrary to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's accusation that individuals deliberately started the fires, Channel 12 reported that "the main fires in the Jerusalem Hills were not set intentionally, and assessments indicate they were caused by negligence."
Speaking to students Thursday, Netanyahu said: "We currently have 18 individuals in custody suspected of intentionally setting fires—one was caught in the act."
But Israeli Army Radio refuted his claims, saying that "only three individuals have been detained on suspicion of arson."
Dismissing Netanyahu’s allegations, the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that "at this stage, there is no conclusive evidence indicating the fires were deliberately set."
Later in the day, Channel 12 reported that “an Israeli was slightly injured as a result of a large fire that broke out in the village of Givat Washington.”
The channel noted that firefighting teams have not yet brought the fire under control and are working under difficult conditions.
It added that the teams are working to prevent the fire from spreading and reaching residential buildings.
Authorities are continuing investigations to determine the cause of the blaze in the same area, which experienced less severe wildfires last week.
Thousands of residents from several towns were evacuated Wednesday as a result of the wildfires, which raged between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with dozens of cars trapped and drivers walking across the road to escape the flames.
