Wildfire leads to hospitalization of at least 12 individuals and the shutdown of the highway connecting Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Here Comes Some Much-Needed Aid for Israel Amid Ravaging Wildfires
🔥🔥🔥 A massive wildfire near Jerusalem has forced the closure of the main highway linking Tel Aviv to the holy city, causing a chaos on the roads, hospitalizing at least a dozen people, and casting a grey pall over the region.
Footage captured the harrowing scenes of stranded vehicles and spreading flames throughout the area, with one video showing the fire approaching a Catholic monastery. The blaze is fueled by strong winds and hot, arid weather, and the cause remains under investigation.
The Israeli authorities have appealed for assistance from various regions, including aircraft and resources from Italy, Croatia, North Macedonia, and other nations. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar confirmed that his office is in contact with officials in the UK, France, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Argentina, Spain, North Macedonia, and Azerbaijan for potential aid.
As helicopters drop water on the fiery inferno from above, ground teams scramble on ATVs to battle the blaze. Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir expressed hope for mobilizing around 150 firefighting teams to combat the flames.
This wildfire crisis unfolds as Israel commemorates Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of attacks, marking an unusual disruption to the solemn observances. Many planned events have been canceled, including the official national ceremony in Jerusalem, which had been set for Mount Herzl, near the fire zone. Instead, a recording of the dress rehearsal will be broadcast.
The affected individuals have primarily suffered from smoke inhalation, with a majority being hospitalized. Additionally, numerous residents living near the fire zone have been evacuated, and the status of damage to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem remains unclear at this time.
As the flames advance towards the Tel Aviv-to-Jerusalem highway, many people are forced to abandon their vehicles and flee on foot or seek rides from oncoming traffic. The events echo those from 2010, when a massive forest fire on northern Israel's Mount Carmel burned for four days, causing 44 fatalities and destroying around 12,000 acres of woodland.
Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding situation. If you're interested, you can read about:
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[1] How Italy, Spain, Greece and others are helping Israel fight wildfires
[2] Live updates: Large wildfire closes main highway to Jerusalem, sends at least a dozen people to hospital
[3] Massive blaze forces closure of main Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway after Israeli requests international aid
[4] Israel wildfire near Jerusalem forces evacuations as blaze advances towards highway
Enrichment Insights:Israel has sought assistance from various countries to combat the wildfires near Jerusalem, with Italy, Croatia, and North Macedonia pledging aircraft and resources. The isolation of Mount Herzl, near the fire zone, forced the cancellation of the official national ceremony for Memorial Day. A suspect was arrested in connection with the fire, though the investigation is ongoing. Evacuations have been reported in communities such as Neve Shalom, Beko'a, and Beit Meir. It is essential to keep monitoring updates for further developments in this ongoing situation.
[1] Helicopters sent from Italy, Croatia, and North Macedonia are dropping water on the raging wildfire near Jerusalem, aiding in Israel's battle against the inferno.[2] Among the general news headlines, updates on the wildfire's spread, accessibility issues, and evacuation measures for affected residents are widely covered.[3] Accidents caused by the wildfire, including stranded vehicles and hospitalizations, are becoming increasingly prevalent, underlining the need for immediate and coordinated international assistance.
