After one of the most destructive wildfires in over a decade threatened communities and critical infrastructure near Jerusalem, Israeli emergency services announced Thursday that the blaze has been brought under control. The fire, which broke out along the key Jerusalem–Tel Aviv highway on Wednesday, prompted large-scale evacuations, road closures, and an urgent national response.
“This is under control,” stated Shlomi Harush, a senior official from the firefighting service, while cautioning that lingering hotspots and strong winds could reignite the flames. “All teams remain deployed across the affected areas.”
Massive Mobilization to Contain the Inferno
At the height of the emergency, Israel deployed 163 firefighting ground crews and 12 aircraft to battle the fire, which scorched an estimated 13,000 hectares of forest. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had declared the situation a “national emergency,” warning that the flames could reach the outskirts of Jerusalem itself.
In the village of Abu Ghosh, near the hotspot of Latrun, residents like Ahmad Ibrahim used home hoses and street taps to support firefighters. “We acted out of concern for the community,” he said, “trying to stop the fire from spreading and endangering homes.”
The Israeli military also joined the effort, dispatching engineering equipment to create firebreaks, while the air force supported aerial suppression missions. About 50 firetrucks were engaged in affected regions.
Roads Reopened, Evacuated Residents Return
By Thursday, police confirmed that all major roads — including the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv corridor — had been reopened. Residents of Mavo Horon, one of the evacuated communities, were allowed to return, and authorities began facilitating the safe return of others.
While most Independence Day celebrations were postponed on Wednesday, events resumed Thursday even as firefighting efforts continued.
Human Toll and International Aid
The Magen David Adom rescue service reported treating 23 individuals for injuries related to the fire, mostly due to smoke inhalation and minor burns. Public broadcaster Kan said 17 firefighters were injured during the emergency response.
Help was on the way from abroad as well. The foreign ministry confirmed that firefighting aircraft and helicopters from France, Croatia, Italy, Romania, Spain, Cyprus, and Serbia were en route to assist.
Suspicions of Arson
Adding a darker twist to the crisis, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir suggested arson may have been involved. Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed suspicions, stating, “Authorities are holding 18 suspects, one of whom was caught in the act.”
Although wildfires in Israel are not uncommon during the warmer months, events of this scale are rare and usually localized. Many have criticized the preparedness of the authorities despite known weather risks. “We knew the weather, we knew this could happen,” said Yuval Aharoni, an evacuee. “They weren’t ready enough.”
As Israel begins to recover from the devastation, questions around preparedness and prevention are likely to dominate public discourse in the weeks to come.
