Massive Wildfires Rage Near Jerusalem as Israel Seeks International Help

Watan-For the second consecutive day, massive wildfires raged across wide areas of the Jerusalem Hills, with firefighting teams failing to contain them amid hot, dry khamsin winds. The crisis has sparked political finger-pointing, while Israel has appealed to the international community for urgent firefighting support.

Israeli sources on Wednesday accused Palestinian citizens of starting the fires, which have rapidly spread in and around occupied Jerusalem. Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir declared:“The arsonists must be treated as major terrorists in every sense of the word—they tried to kill thousands of people and must receive the harshest punishments.”

In contrast, Israel’s Channel “Kan” reported that the Palestinian Authority had offered to help extinguish the fires near several settlements, but the Israeli government has yet to respond.

On the ground, fires continued to burn in six different locations across the Jerusalem Hills, particularly near the town of “Oasis of Peace” (Wahat al-Salam). Israeli firefighting units are trying to prevent further spread. Hebrew media reported several cars burned on Highway 1—the main road between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv—as terrified drivers fled the flames on foot.

🚨 Israel declares a state of emergency and raises alert levels to the maximum.
The army has been deployed to assist firefighting teams.
Vehicles are catching fire, and new blazes have been reported in Ashkelon, Ashdod, and the Gaza envelope.

Wind speeds are expected to rise… pic.twitter.com/oA2SIXvRA4

— SilencedSirs◼️ (@SilentlySirs) April 30, 2025

Fire authorities declared a national state of emergency, the highest level of alert, and ordered a general mobilization of all firefighting units across the country. According to Kan, 119 firefighting crews and 13 aircraft are currently engaged in extinguishing the blazes.

Medical reports confirmed several minor injuries from smoke inhalation, while the fires continue to approach residential areas and critical roads.

In a notable development, Knesset member Tzvi Sukkot sent an urgent letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warning:“With the fires spreading, Arab social media platforms are calling to set more forests ablaze. Based on past Palestinian attempts, I demand an immediate curfew on West Bank settlements and a lockdown on neighboring Palestinian villages.”

Meanwhile, Israel sent urgent appeals to nearby countries including Greece, Italy, Cyprus, Croatia, and Bulgaria. Yedioth Ahronoth reported that these countries have agreed in principle, and their aircraft are expected to begin operations by Thursday, due to current restrictions on nighttime firefighting flights.

A joint statement from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministries of National Security and Foreign Affairs said that Netanyahu has tasked the National Security Council with leading the international coordination efforts to bring firefighting planes to Israel as quickly as possible.

Israel is literally on fire right now…
It’s a shame Netenyahu spent the last few years bombing his neighbours, and trying to usurp their land.. pic.twitter.com/aO8Pbdkgp4

— TrueBlueRebel (@pepedownunder) April 30, 2025

The fires originally began Wednesday morning in a forested area near “Oasis of Peace” in the Jerusalem Hills and rapidly expanded due to extreme weather conditions. Just a week earlier, a similar fire in the Beit Shemesh area took over 21 hours to control.

As a result of the escalating disaster, Israel announced the cancellation of all events related to its so-called “Independence Day,” which had been scheduled for Wednesday evening.

Israel’s “Independence Day” marks the 1948 declaration of the state of Israel on the ruins of Palestinian cities and villages. Palestinians commemorate this day as the “Nakba”—the catastrophe of mass displacement and massacres committed by Zionist militias.