Fires near Jerusalem successfully extinguished, roads restored for traffic movement.
Rewritten Article:
Wildfires in Central Israel near Jerusalem, May 2023: A Battle Against Nature's Fury
The fires ravaging central Israel, bordering Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway, were finally subdued on May 1, Israeli authorities confirmed. As firefighters vanquished the last lingering embers, they continued to guard against potential flare-ups, having reopened the roads shut down on the previous day.
With thousands of residents evacuated on April 30, the relentless blaze had pushed police to shut down a slew of main thoroughfares. Sparked by scorching temperatures and gusting winds, these infernos were branded "unprecedented" by officials, requiring the cancellation of Independence Day festivities and the conscription of soldiers to aid the firefighters.
Shlomi Harush, a fire department official, reported to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on May 1, "The fire is under control. We now have only a few residual hotspots left. All teams are still present in the affected areas, remaining vigilant." Despite the positive report, Harush cautioned that the windy conditions could fan the embers, jeopardizing the hard-won gains against the flames. On this Day of Resurgence, firefighters booth on the ground and in the air numbered 163 teams and 12 aircraft, assembled to combat the fires that had seared through approximately 13,000 hectares of forest land, as per police reports.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had proclaimed a "national emergency" over the fires, warning they could advance towards Jerusalem. By May 1, "all closed roads had been restored to traffic", proclaimed Israeli police.
National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, speculated that these fires could have been of criminal origin. The Times of Israel alleged that on May 1, authorities arrested "18 arson suspects, including one caught in the act". Wildfires are not unheard of during this time of the year in Israel, but they are considered unusual phenomena.
On April 30, the Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency service attended to 23 individuals, the majority suffering from burns or smoke inhalation. Among them were two pregnant women and two infants under 1 year old, according to MDA data. Seventeen firefighters sustained injuries, as per reports from public broadcaster Kan.
In response to the newfound threat, the army assembled soldiers and air forces across central Israel, positioning "dozens of vehicles" as barriers against the encroaching flames. Around 50 fire trucks had been mobilized to the scorched regions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had notified foreign allies of upcoming water-bombing aircraft despatches from France, Romania, Croatia, Italy, and Spain. Israel anticipated aid from Cyprus and Serbia in the form of helicopters.
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[1] Wildfires raged near Jerusalem in May 2023, Israeli authorities confirm. (2023, May 1). Retrieved from [source]
[2] Israel wildfires: Arrests over suspected arson attacks as Middle East burns. (2025, April 30). Retrieved from [source]
[3] Hamas urges Palestinians to start fires targeting settler areas. (2025, April 29). Retrieved from [source]
- The fires that raged near Jerusalem in May 2023 were finally subdued, but authorities remain vigilant as residual hotspots persist.
- National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, speculated that the fires could have criminal origins, as 18 arson suspects were arrested, including one caught in the act.
- In response to the wildfires, Israel anticipated aid from multiple countries, including France, Romania, Croatia, Italy, and Spain for water-bombing aircraft, and helicopters from Cyprus and Serbia.
- With threat of fires still present, firefighters continued to fight tirelessly against nature's fury on Thursday, as the weather remained a pressing concern for the general public and crime-and-justice enthusiasts following Aviv news outlets.
