Netanyahu warned of the risk of spreading fires in the city of Jerusalem
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned tonight (30/4) of the risk of spreading fires in the city of Jerusalem.
« The western wind could easily push the flames into districts on the outskirts of Jerusalem or even the city itself, » Netanyahu said in a video released by the prime minister’s office.
The fiery fronts on the hills around Jerusalem fired because of the strong winds, despite the mobilization of powerful fire and the army.
At least 23 injured by fires near Jerusalem
Meanwhile, Israeli rescue services have been put into alert. « We are perhaps facing the biggest fire in Israel for a decade, » said Eyal Kaspi, the leader of the Fire Department, informing reporters.
Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the army to grow to contain rapidly moving fronts due to heavy winds and high temperatures. He even spoke of a « national urgent situation ».
סיוע בדרך בדרך: יוון, קרואטיה, איטליה, וקפריסין לשלוח סיוע מטוסי מטוסי בשעות בשעות בשעות בשעות בשעות בשעות בשעות בשעות בשעות בשעות.
תיעוד מכביש 1 כעת pic.twitter.com/yfvtkvci4p
– שלמה מזג מזג אוויר (@mezgaviril) April 30, 2025
Magen David Antiom ambulance service (MDA) said first aid to at least 23 people who were slightly injured and had been put in a state of high alarm.
Police closed the highway connecting Jerusalem to Tel Aviv and evacuated communities along this road. A fire broke out in the same area a week ago.
« We are in a national urgent state and all the available forces need to be mobilized to save lives and control the fires, » Katz said.
Army and Fire Brigade are trying to evacuate villages and release drivers
In the afternoon, the first soldiers arrived on the fiery fronts, said a French agency journalist who was there and saw them helping to remove people trapped on roads, drowned in dense, black smoke clouds.
At least five communities were evacuated about 30 kilometers west of Jerusalem, police said.
The flames are burnt down the woods near the road that connects the beetle with Beet Seas. Many drivers left their vehicles in the middle of the road and escaped on foot. There are many water helicopters in the area.
מילה קטנה על כביש 1, תכנון לקוי ומה שביניהם
לפני כ 12-13 שנים זוכר שריפה בכביש בכביש בכביש באזור באזור.
תוך דקות מרגע נחסם טרקטור פרטי ופתח נתיב מילוט לכיוון לכיוון לכיוון לכיוון לכיוון.
רוב הקטעים בכביש 1 שודרגו ושופצו בשנים האחרונות pic.twitter.com/9FWRXKGJXP
– Aharon Parnes (@AHARON_PARNES) April 30, 2025
Ambulances have grown near the communities that are closer to the fires and are ready to intervene if needed, one MDA rescuer, Saar Sai, explained. A group of motorcyclists were sent to help as many people trapped on the roads, he added.
The Minister of National Security Italmar Ben Gvir, who oversees the extinguishing work, visited areas where the fires are raging. In one video he said that efforts are being made to provide assistance to trapped residents.
In a statement shortly thereafter, the minister implied that fires could be the result of criminal activity. Police announced that a resident of East Jerusalem was arrested while trying to set fire to « in a field, south of the city ».
מטורף הגיע לכביש לכביש 1 כשהכביש עמוס, איבוד באזור כלל הכוחות מפונים מפונים למקום. pic.twitter.com/cpa4icq3fn
– שלמה מזג מזג אוויר (@mezgaviril) April 30, 2025
« Police will continue their efforts to arrest those involved in terrorist incendiary acts, » Ben Gvir added.
The Municipality of Jerusalem announced that all the events scheduled for today are canceled, on the occasion of the national holiday of Israel’s independence.
