A wildfire broke out on Wednesday, creating severe disruptions by shutting the main highway that connects Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The incident resulted in at least a dozen individuals being hospitalized and darkening the skies over Jerusalem with smoke. Eyewitness video footage illustrated the chaos, showing vehicles abandoned nearby as flames swept through the area. Notable footage also depicted the fire nearing a Catholic monastery.
The wildfire, fueled by strong winds and high temperatures, prompted a swift response from authorities. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. According to Israeli officials, assistance was on its way from neighboring countries, including aircraft dispatched from Italy, Croatia, and North Macedonia. Helicopters were deployed to drop water on the fire, while numerous firefighting teams responded on all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
The situation was deemed critical by Israel's National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who expressed hope that up to 150 firefighting teams would be mobilized to combat the blaze effectively. This uncontrolled fire occurred as Israel observed its annual Memorial Day, a significant occasion for honoring fallen soldiers and victims of attacks, with Independence Day just a day away. In light of the wildfire, several planned events were called off, including the official national ceremony that was set to take place at Mount Herzl, located near the fire zone. Instead, authorities opted to broadcast a recording of the rehearsal for the event.
Emergency medical services reported that those who were taken to hospitals primarily suffered from smoke inhalation. Additionally, about ten others received on-site treatment from Magen David Adom Ambulance services. Residents living in close proximity to the fire zone were evacuated as a precautionary measure by police forces.
Officials at the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which oversees the nearby monastery, stated it was too early to evaluate the damage inflicted, if any. The religious communities situated in the area had been evacuated safely, and a statement was released expressing prayers for the safety of everyone involved.
The advancing flames led to mass panic among drivers, as many abandoned their vehicles, fleeing on foot or seeking rides with other motorists traveling in the opposite direction. This wildfire is reminiscent of a catastrophic blaze that took place in 2010, where a massive forest fire raged for four days on Mount Carmel in northern Israel, resulting in 44 fatalities and the destruction of approximately 12,000 acres of land, much of which was forested.
As firefighting efforts continued, the community remained on high alert. The battle against the wildfire not only highlighted the urgent need for effective emergency responses in such atmospheric conditions but also underscored the risks posed by changing climate conditions that may make wildfires more frequent and intense in the future.
