Netanyahu under fire as Israel battles raging wildfires near Jerusalem

DDM News

Israel is facing one of its most severe wildfire outbreaks in recent years.

Diaspora digital media (DDM) revealed that blazes have erupted in multiple locations near Jerusalem, spreading rapidly due to dry weather and strong winds.

The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has declared the situation a national emergency.

He warned that the advancing fires could reach the outskirts of Jerusalem and possibly penetrate the city itself.

The fires erupted amid ongoing heatwaves and unusually dry weather conditions that have plagued the region in recent weeks.

Climate experts have repeatedly warned that rising global temperatures are increasing the risk of such wildfires across the Middle East.

This particular outbreak has drawn comparisons to previous devastating wildfires in Israel, including the 2010 Mount Carmel disaster that killed 44 people.

Thick plumes of smoke were visible across major highways near Jerusalem on Wednesday, disrupting normal traffic flow and causing alarm among residents.

Firefighters were seen battling flames on steep, forested hillsides as helicopters circled overhead, dropping water in desperate efforts to contain the blaze.

Emergency medical personnel rushed to treat victims suffering from smoke inhalation and burn injuries.

Israel’s national emergency medical service, Magen David Adom (MDA), reported that 23 civilians had received urgent treatment.

Out of these, 13 people were taken to nearby hospitals for further care.

Among the injured were two pregnant women and two infants, all under one year old.

MDA noted that it had elevated its alert level to the highest possible tier in response to the scale of the crisis.

The Israeli military also deployed soldiers to assist in containment and evacuation operations.

Military units joined civil defense forces to help protect lives, homes, and critical infrastructure.

Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the nation in a recorded video message, emphasizing the seriousness of the unfolding situation.

He said the country must act decisively to prevent a disaster in the capital.

“The western wind can push the fire easily towards the outskirts of Jerusalem – and even into the city itself,” Netanyahu warned.

He ordered fire crews from across the country to be sent to the affected regions immediately.

Netanyahu stressed the importance of creating firebreaks well beyond the current fire lines to halt the advance of the flames.

He described the situation as a national emergency requiring urgent, coordinated action across all agencies.

Local residents have expressed frustration over what they describe as inadequate preparations for such an event.

Yuval Aharoni, a 40-year-old resident near Modiin, said the authorities should have anticipated the risk.

“It’s just very sad because we knew the weather. We kind of knew that would happen,” he said.

He criticized the lack of readiness, especially the delayed use of large firefighting planes capable of dropping significant quantities of water.

Many citizens are questioning whether the government did enough in advance to prevent the escalation.

The blaze has reignited discussions about climate change, disaster preparedness, and funding for Israel’s emergency services.

Environmental activists argue that wildfires like this will become more common as regional climates become hotter and drier.

They call for long-term solutions, including reforestation with fire-resistant plants and investment in aerial firefighting capabilities.

As of Wednesday evening, efforts to contain the fire were ongoing, with reinforcements arriving from other districts.

Crews worked throughout the night, building barriers and spraying water to keep the flames from moving closer to populated areas.

Jerusalem, a city of immense historical and religious importance, remains under high alert.

Authorities are urging residents to remain calm but vigilant, as evacuation orders may be issued on short notice.

The coming hours are considered critical, as any change in wind direction could significantly worsen the situation.

The nation watches anxiously, hoping the flames can be brought under control before irreversible damage occurs.

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