Wildfire spreads around Jerusalem as Israel asks Italy, Greece for help
Several communities have already been evacuated over the fires blazing in the environs of Jerusalem and along Highway 1.
Israel asked Greece, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Italy and Croatia to help extinguish major wildfires that broke out Wednesday morning in several locations near Jerusalem and along Highway 1 leading to the city as communities along the road were instructed to evacuate.
At least one man suspected of involvement in igniting the fires was arrested, according to Israeli broadcaster Kan, which reported that the suspect is now detained at the Oz police station in east Jerusalem. Israel police did not confirm or give any details on what started the fires. Ynet, citing unnamed security sources, reported Wednesday that it was too early in the investigation to determine whether the fires broke out due to arson on nationalist grounds. The Shin Bet is involved in the investigation.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar asked his counterparts in the four countries to send firefighting airplanes and helicopters to Israel, including supertankers. Ynet reported that Greece and Italy are sending supertankers and that the Palestinian Authority offered to send firefighters, though Israel has not yet responded to the offer. International aid is expected to arrive Thursday morning.
The villages of Neve Shalom, Beko’a, Ta’oz, Mevo Horon, Mishmar Ayalon, Beit Meir, Mesilat Zion and Nachshon were evacuated on Wednesday along with the military memorial site in Latrun, interrupting a ceremony held there for Israel’s Memorial Day for fallen soldiers. The ancient Latrun monastery nearby was also evacuated. Dozens of vehicles were trapped on Highway 1, forcing their drivers to abandon them and escape on foot, as the route was blocked by fire and smoke. Dozens of people have so far been hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
This was the second time in a week that large fires have broken out on the outskirts of Jerusalem, prompting evacuations. Both fires broke out against the backdrop of extreme heat waves, dry conditions and strong winds. Israel’s meteorology service said Wednesday afternoon that strong winds are also expected on Thursday, Israel's Independence Day.
A total of 120 firefighting teams are battling the flames, with the military called in to assist evacuation efforts. The national ceremony marking the start of Israel’s Independence Day, scheduled for Wednesday evening, was canceled due to the extreme weather. A pre-recorded ceremony will be broadcast instead. Several cities also canceled public celebrations for Independence Day planned for Wednesday night due to the fires, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Ashkelon.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said a National Security Council meeting was held Wednesday afternoon to advance international assistance and that three advanced firefighting Canadair aircraft will arrive as soon as possible from Italy and Croatia.
Fire chief Eyal Caspi said Wednesday evening, "We are concentrating powerful ground firefighting forces. There is a significant problem because the firefighting aircrafts cannot work due to the weather conditions." He went on, "The fire is expected to continue into the night, the winds are problematic and the humidity is low. This is one of the largest fires there has been [in Israel], certainly in the last decade." He also said that firefighters and police managed to rescue dozens of people trapped on buses and vehicles on Highway 1, the main artery connecting Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
This developing story has been updated since initial publication.
