30.04.2025 23:30
Due to the ongoing fires between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, 10 settlements have been evacuated. The Israeli fire department stated that they are battling one of the largest fires in the country's history, while the Tel Aviv administration has called for international assistance from Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Italy, and the Greek Cypriot Administration.
Due to the ongoing fires between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, 10 settlements have been evacuated. While firefighting teams are battling strong winds, an international aid call has been made, and the Independence Day ceremony has been canceled.
7,000 PEOPLE EVACUATED DUE TO FIRES IN ISRAEL
As the number of settlements evacuated due to fires between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv rises to 10, firefighting teams have not yet been able to bring the growing fire under control due to strong winds. The Israeli fire department announced that approximately 7,000 people have been evacuated from 10 settlements, including Neve Shalom, Bekoa, Taoz, Naşşon, and Mesilat Zion, due to the fire that started and spread in the Eshtaol Forest between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
HIGHWAYS CLOSED
It has been reported that some highways between the two cities have been closed to traffic due to the fires growing with strong winds between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Israeli media previously reported that 11 firefighting planes and 150 firefighting teams were working to bring the fire under control, which has spread due to strong winds, while officials from the Israeli fire department announced that the planes could not intervene in the fire due to adverse weather conditions. It was also observed that the Latrun Armored Corps Memorial and Museum near Jerusalem was affected by the fire.
“ONE OF THE LARGEST FIRES IN THE COUNTRY'S HISTORY”
According to a report by Israel's state television KAN, Shmulik Friedman, the Jerusalem District Commander of the Israeli fire department, announced that they are battling one of the largest fires in the country's history. In a statement to the press, Friedman said, "We are in the midst of a very large forest fire, perhaps the largest fire ever seen in this country."
“WE ARE FAR FROM BRINGING THE FIRES UNDER CONTROL”
Emphasizing that firefighting teams are "far from" bringing the fires under control, Friedman stated that they have not yet determined what caused the fire. Israel Police Spokesperson Dean Elsdunne stated in a statement to Anadolu Agency (AA) that the fire in the region is spreading and approaching one of the country's major highways, Highway 1. Elsdunne said, "The police and fire department are working diligently and quickly to evacuate civilians from the area so that the fire department can do its job and bring the fire under control."
In a statement from the Israeli army's X account, it was reported that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir ordered the Home Front Command, Air Force Command, and army units to assist the police, fire department, and rescue teams in every way necessary to combat the fire.
ISRAEL CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL AID TO 5 COUNTRIES
In a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, it was reported that the Tel Aviv administration requested international aid from Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Italy, and the Greek Cypriot Administration to intervene in the growing fires. It was also announced that 3 planes from Italy and Croatia would come to the country to participate in firefighting efforts.
Additionally, it was reported that, following Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's instructions, the Israeli National Security Council conducted an assessment regarding the international aid efforts. In a statement from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was reported that Minister Gideon Saar held discussions with his counterparts from the UK, France, Czech Republic, Sweden, Argentina, Spain, North Macedonia, and Azerbaijan regarding assistance for the fires they are struggling to control.
INDEPENDENCE DAY CEREMONY CANCELED
While 5 settlements in the country were evacuated, the Independence Day torch-lighting ceremony to be held on Mount Herzl in West Jerusalem was canceled. Israeli Minister of Transportation and Road Safety Miri Regev announced on her X account that they decided not to hold the ceremony due to the fires in the hills near Mount Herzl and strong winds after an assessment with security officials. Miri had previously announced that the rehearsal for the Independence Day torch-lighting ceremony, which was attended by 4,000 people two days ago, would be broadcast on screens.