Israel evacuates several towns as intense heat fuels wildfires

JERUSALEM / ISTANBUL

Israeli authorities evacuated residents of several towns in central Israel on Wednesday amid widespread wildfires sparked by soaring temperatures and strong winds.

Police shut down Route 38, a key traffic artery from central Israel to Jerusalem, and moved residents from the towns of Eshtaol, Beit Meir, and Mesilat Zion as a result of flames in the Beit Shemesh area.

The fire initially erupted near Moshav Tarum in central Israel and spread due to soaring temperatures and high winds.

Israel’s National Fire and Rescue Authority said 11 firefighting aircraft and over 100 crews from across the country are actively combating the fires in the Eshtaol area of the Jerusalem hills.

Footage on social media showed crowds of people walking along the highway near Rehovot city, surrounded by heavy smoke.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that three firefighters were injured while battling the fires in the Jerusalem hills.

The Israeli police issued a statement, noting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducted a situation assessment at the firefighting command center in Eshtaol, joined by police commissioner Daniel Levi and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who participated via phone from the US.

The police statement detailed the directive of Levy’s commissioner to prepare forces for night operations, continuing efforts on highways and in towns using all available systems, including the police air unit.

Israeli newspaper Maariv reported that Levy ordered a general mobilization of firefighters to sustain efforts to control the fires and prevent their spread.

In a televised address following the meeting, Netanyahu called for the use of a “Shimshon” (Super Hercules) aircraft to aid firefighting efforts between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Netanyahu also indicated preparations to seek support from foreign nations, such as Greece, to assist in extinguishing the fires.

The Israel Meteorological Service had warned of “harsh” weather conditions on Tuesday and Wednesday, with potential record-breaking temperatures, exacerbating the fire risk.