Israel wildfires: Countries to send air support as evacuations sweep Beit Shemesh

A catastrophic wildfire, fueled by an unrelenting heatwave and fierce winds, is tearing through the Jerusalem Hills near Beit Shemesh, threatening lives, homes, and infrastructure. The ongoing blaze has forced the evacuation of multiple communities, including Neve Shalom, Baqa, Mitzpe Harel, Nahshon, the Latrun area, and Canada Park. Highway 1, a critical artery connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, is closed as flames engulf open areas and encroach on the roadway. Train services between Jerusalem-Yitzhak Navon and Modi’in Central have been halted due to fears of fire reaching the tracks, while Route 1 remains intermittently blocked as the fire leaps across it, defying containment efforts.

Israel’s Fire and Rescue Service, under Commissioner Eyal Caspi, has mobilized 119 firefighting crews from multiple districts, supported by 10 firefighting aircraft and a helicopter, with 22 additional crews en route. The “Lahava” unit is on full national alert, and emergency protocols are in effect nationwide. So far, nine people have been rescued from vehicles trapped in choking smoke, and three private cars and a truck are ablaze, though no one remains trapped inside. United Hatzalah paramedics have treated over 15 victims, including toddlers and the elderly, for light to moderate smoke inhalation, with some evacuated by ambulance. Several others are receiving on-site medical care.

The crisis has prompted Israel to seek international aid, with Greece, Croatia, Italy, and Cyprus expected to deploy firefighting aircraft in the coming hours. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Police

Commissioner Daniel Levi are overseeing operations at a command center in Beit Shemesh, where Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has called for IDF aircraft and urged rescue groups to prioritize saving lives. A desperate plea has gone out via a Beit Shemesh WhatsApp group for motorcyclists to deliver water to stranded individuals fleeing on foot, many of whom are dehydrated and at risk. Caspi emphasized, “The commanders and firefighters are operating in all sectors. I ask the public to follow life-saving instructions.” The public is urged to avoid the area, adhere to emergency directives, and refrain from flying drones, which endanger firefighting aircraft.