“Israel Ravaged by Devastating Wildfires, Netanyahu Convenes Emergency Meeting’’

On Wednesday night (April 23), these details were reported in a news piece by Anadolu.

According to the report, the fire initially broke out near Moshav Tarum in central Israel. Due to rising temperatures and strong winds, the fire quickly spread to various areas. Later, fires ignited in several parts of the city of Beit Shemesh. The intense wind caused the fire to spread to different towns. At one point, the fire became even more severe and went out of control. In addition, residents were evacuated from the towns of Eshtaol, Beit Meir, and Mesilat Zion. Because of the intense blaze, drivers had to abandon their vehicles and flee the city.

Israel is burning under a devastating wildfire. Due to intense heat and strong winds, fires have spread across several cities in the country since Wednesday morning. Residents have already been evacuated to safe distances from the affected areas. Roads in the cities have been closed to traffic, and train services have been suspended after flames reached close to railway lines.

According to a report published on Thursday by the Times of Israel, the fire initially broke out near Moshav Tarum in central Israel. As firefighting planes attempted to douse the flames, strong winds intensified the blaze, causing it to spread to multiple locations. Subsequently, several areas in the city of Beit Shemesh caught fire. At one point, the fire became so severe that it went out of control.

Residents have also been evacuated from the towns of Eshtaol, Beit Meir, and Mesilat Zion. Due to the intensity of the blaze, some drivers were forced to abandon their vehicles and flee the city. The police have urged the public to remain cautious and stay away from affected areas. A major road leading to Jerusalem from the fire-affected zones has been closed.

In response to the crisis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participated in an emergency meeting at an ad hoc command center. The Fire and Rescue Services stated in a release that while battling multiple wildfires, three firefighters and a female police officer were injured. Earlier, a spokesperson from the same authority told Times of Israel that nine people had sustained minor injuries, including seven firefighters and two civilians.

Police have instructed the public to exercise caution and stay away from the affected areas. They have also closed a major road leading to Jerusalem from the fire-hit regions.

Efforts to extinguish the fire using aircraft have already begun. Reports say at least nine people, including seven firefighters, have been injured while battling the flames.

A spokesperson for the Fire and Rescue Authority stated that nine individuals were injured while trying to put out the fire—seven of them firefighters and two civilians.

He said that the site of the wildfire is about 25 kilometers from Jerusalem. Even so, the skies over Jerusalem are filled with smoke, and air quality has deteriorated.

He also mentioned that firefighters from six districts have been enlisted to help extinguish the fire. Members of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have joined them as well. To the north of Beit Shemesh, about 110 firefighting teams, 11 firefighting planes, and one helicopter are working to contain the blaze. Additionally, the Israeli Air Force, rescue services, and police are also involved in the efforts.

A police spokesperson has reported that the fire is spreading northward along Route 1. In high-risk wildfire areas, officials are conducting searches for hikers. When the fire reached near Route 6, roads near the towns of Petahya and Pedaya were closed. A spokesperson from the Fire and Rescue Authority stated that, in addition to over a hundred firefighting teams, the Israeli Air Force and the fire engines from the Directorate of Technology and Logistics have been working alongside the Fire and Rescue Services and the Israeli Police to combat the blaze.

Israel's Meteorological Department had issued an "extreme" weather warning for Tuesday and Wednesday, predicting record-high temperatures. Most forest fires in Israel are caused by human activity and typically result from negligence. Due to the country’s long and dry summers, Israel has experienced numerous wildfires in the past. Major fires were recorded in the years 1989, 1995, 2010, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023.