Firefighters in Israel are battling a series of fast-spreading wildfires sweeping across the Jerusalem Hills and Judean Foothills, forcing widespread evacuations and disrupting major infrastructure.
Due to the advancing flames, Israel’s Channel 12 News has begun evacuating its main broadcasting facilities in Neve Ilan, dispatching emergency crews to its secondary studios in Herzliya to maintain broadcasts. Fire and Rescue Commissioner Eyal Caspi confirmed that firefighting aircraft have been grounded due to poor weather conditions, hampering efforts to contain the blaze. He noted that the fire continues to spread toward Neve Ilan, with approximately 150 ground teams deployed in a desperate attempt to control the fire in the coming hours.
In response to the escalating crisis, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has initiated a series of urgent international calls seeking assistance. Over the past hour, he has spoken with the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France, Czech Republic, Sweden, Argentina, Spain, North Macedonia, and Azerbaijan, requesting support to bolster firefighting operations. These diplomatic efforts are ongoing.
According to the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority, Jerusalem District, firefighters are currently engaged in multiple active wildfire centers:
- Mevo Horon and adjacent agricultural lands
- Along Burma Road in the direction of Beit Meir
- Near the northern edge of Mesilat Zion
- Near the gas station at Sha’ar HaGai
- Several active hotspots around the Latrun area
- Multiple fire centers along the eastern boundary of Neve Shalom
- Various locations within the Eshtaol Forest
The primary firefighting focus remains in the Shoresh area and the Convoy Ridge (Shluḥat HaShayarot), with crews working to halt an advancing fire front approaching the Masrek Nature Reserve.
The evacuation of the Protea BaHar assisted living facility has been successfully completed, while evacuations of the communities Neve Ilan, Shoresh, and Yad HaShmona are currently underway under the guidance of emergency authorities. Earlier, a Shimshon aircraft conducted a retardant drop near Mesilat Zion in an attempt to slow the blaze.
Authorities urge drivers and hikers to avoid the affected areas and strictly follow all instructions from security and emergency services.
— Elinor Shitrit, Spokesperson, Israel Fire and Rescue Authority — Jerusalem District
