Israel media channels reported that wildfires west of Jerusalem have consumed 19,000 dunams of land.
More than nine settlements were evacuated due to the fires around the city.
While over 10,000 people have been evacuated from their homes.
Investigation on the Wildfires in Israel
Israeli firefighting authorities declared a state of maximum emergency and issued a general mobilization order for all firefighting units across the country.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir held a joint situation assessment at the command center.
The head of the fire services in the Jerusalem region described the blaze as the largest in the country.
Meanwhile, the Shin Bet security service suspects that the fire may have been deliberately set.
Accordingly it has begun investigating the fires in the Jerusalem Hills to identify the arsonists.
Clues That Suggest Possible Arson:
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Multiple ignition points:
Fires that start in several different places at once are a common sign of intentional ignition rather than a natural cause like lightning. -
Timing and weather conditions:
If fires ignite under optimal conditions for spreading (dry, windy days) and in patterns that suggest planning, it raises suspicion. -
Surveillance or eyewitness reports:
Authorities may have received tips, camera footage, or suspicious activity reports in the area before or during the fires. -
Lack of natural causes:
No lightning, electrical fault, or accident reported in areas where fires started. -
Historical context:
Israel has previously faced politically or ideologically motivated arson during periods of tension, sometimes referred to as “arson terrorism”.
Macron Offers Support to Stop the Wildfires in Israel
As the wildfires spread in Jerusalem Hills, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar appealed to several European countries for assistance in tackling the fires.
International aid operations are expected to begin today.
Especially given the challenges faced by firefighting aircraft during night operations.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his country’s solidarity with Israel in facing the destructive fires threatening Jerusalem.
He stated that Paris is ready to provide material support to help in the crisis.
In a post on X early Thursday, Macron wrote:
“All solidarity with the Israeli people facing horrific wildfires.
France is prepared to provide material support in the coming hours.”
Army Deployed to Help
Firefighting teams are battling blazes near the main highway connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Those blazes have caused several injuries, prompting emergency crews to be placed on high alert.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered the army to deploy forces to assist firefighting teams in combating the fires.
Prime Minister Netanyahu earlier warned that the raging wildfires near Jerusalem could reach the city itself.
Later, Netanyahu announced that three firefighting planes would soon arrive in Israel from Italy and Croatia.
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar office confirmed that two planes had arrived from Spain and one from France.
Along with additional support coming from Romania to stop the wildfires in Israel.
Source: https://www.alarabiya.net/
