Jerusalem and Gush Etzion on fire | WATCH

A fire is currently raging (Monday) in Gush Etzion - in an open area between the settlement of Neve Daniel and the Al-Khadr junction in Gush Etzion. Route 375 has been closed to traffic. The fire in Jerusalem is still raging and evacuation of homes has begun.

11 firefighting teams are currently working to halt the spread of the fire and prevent damage to the settlement and nearby infrastructure.

Due to the fire, Route 375 has been closed to traffic in both directions. Additionally, heavy traffic congestion is being recorded on Route 60, from the Tunnels Road southward.

Furthermore, in Beitar Illit, they closed the entrance to neighborhood A due to the fire that broke out. "Drivers are asked to avoid coming to the area and to use alternative routes," Fire and Rescue Services reported.

Many firefighting teams are operating in a forest fire in two sectors in the Yafe Nof neighborhood area in Jerusalem. The fire is spreading to two sectors and ground and aerial firefighting teams are working in the field to contain the fire and prevent its spread toward residential buildings, infrastructure, and Yad Vashem.

Efforts are concentrated on preventing danger to the first line of houses. A contract helicopter is making its way to the area for aerial situation assessment.

Accordingly, these are the instructions for residents: to shelter in homes due to high smoke concentration in the area. Evacuation of the first line of houses in the neighborhood is being carried out at this stage by security forces. Operations continue under complex field conditions including changing winds. We will continue to update on developments.

The Jerusalem Municipality said that "following a fire that broke out in the Beit HaKerem area, the entrance to Jerusalem from Route 16 has been closed to traffic. All vehicle traffic coming to Jerusalem is currently being diverted through the Arzim Tunnel and entry to the city via Route 1. Firefighting forces, alongside police forces, are operating on site to gain control of the fire, in coordination with Jerusalem Municipality. To maintain residents' safety, evacuation of the first line of houses has begun by security forces to the Beit HaKerem community administration, which is prepared to receive them. The public is asked to avoid coming to the area and to heed the instructions of security and emergency forces operating on site. The municipality continues to monitor developments and will update accordingly."

The Police spokesperson said that: "Following a fire in a thorn field near the Beit HaKerem neighborhood in Jerusalem, officers from the Moriah station from the Zion district in the Jerusalem region are assisting the firefighters operating to control the flames with the help of a helicopter from the Israel Police Air Unit, and in blocking and directing traffic."

He further stated that: "As part of maintaining the security and safety of neighborhood residents, evacuation of a line of houses on Shlomo Tzema Street has begun. We call on neighborhood residents to heed instructions and exercise extreme caution, and to curious onlookers - to avoid coming to the site."

As reported, earlier today a fire broke out near the Har Nof neighborhood in Jerusalem. By heaven's mercy, control was gained over the fire that threatened to spread under cover of the severe heat wave.

After intensive firefighting operations that included 9 teams and two pairs of firefighting aircraft, control was gained over the forest fire that broke out in an open area below Shlomo Tzemah Street in Jerusalem.

Be'er Station Commander, Deputy Sergeant Eli Adri said that "the firefighters acted quickly and professionally in complex terrain, while preventing the spread of fire toward the neighborhood houses. The combination of ground and aerial forces proved itself once again and we continue with final extinguishing operations and searching for hot spots."