Massive wildfires in occupied territories; 155 teams struggling to contain fires

The extensive wildfire, which has engulfed forested and mountainous areas of occupied Jerusalem and the Tel Aviv route since Wednesday, April 30, continues to rage.

The Israeli fire department stated: “We have not yet been able to control the fire.”

Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the cost of reconstruction following the widespread wildfires in Israel could reach millions of dollars.

Hebrew-language media reported that the fires have burned thousands of hectares of land in occupied Jerusalem.

Yedioth Ahronoth, noting that the fires are still burning, stated: “From the afternoon, western winds will intensify again, increasing the risk of renewed fires.”

Hebrew-language Channel 13 reported that 17 firefighters were injured while extinguishing the fires.

Currently, 155 Israeli fire department teams are still working to put out the wildfires, which remain uncontained.

Israel’s Channel 14 reported that some patients were evacuated from Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem, and residents of eight settlements in western Jerusalem were evacuated due to the fires.

Hebrew-language media reported that 15 large aircraft and firefighting teams from the air force, operating from various bases, participated in overnight efforts to extinguish the fires.

Zionist regime firefighting teams have been battling widespread wildfires in six different locations in the Jerusalem mountains, particularly around the “Oasis of Peace” settlement. 

Sixty-seven firefighting teams, 11 aircraft, four helicopters, and heavy firefighting vehicles are involved in the firefighting operations. Major roads, including Road 3 and Road 242, have been closed.

Israeli authorities have urged residents to follow security forces’ instructions and stay away from dangerous areas.

The occupied territories are experiencing a significant rise in temperatures.

The Zionist regime’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Ministry of Health have warned that, starting Wednesday afternoon, air pollution levels are expected to range from high to very problemed high across Israel due to a high concentration of inhalable particles. Air quality is expected to improve at night.

The Zionist regime’s Ministry of Health advised vulnerable groups, such as those with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions, the elderly, pregnant women, and children, to avoid intense physical activity outdoors. The general public was also advised to reduce outdoor physical activities.

Yedioth Ahronoth reported that 12 people suffered from suffocation due to the Jerusalem wildfires.

Meanwhile, Zionist regime media, releasing a video, reported that the wildfires have spread, with flames reaching the Zionist regime’s Armored Vehicle Museum in “Latrun,” located near occupied Jerusalem.

Some media outlets also reported that the wildfires have extended to the city of Afula in northern occupied Palestine.

These media outlets further noted that, following urgent security consultations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled Independence Day ceremonies (marking the anniversary of the Zionist regime’s establishment).

Channel 13 of the Zionist regime’s television stated that the current wildfires in Jerusalem are significantly larger and more widespread than the Carmel wildfires in 2021.

Zionist media also reported that settlers in the Zionist settlement of “Eshtaol” in western Jerusalem have been asked to prepare to evacuate their homes.

The deputy head of the fire service in the occupied Jerusalem region stated, “We have received reports of new wildfires that appear to have been deliberately set.”

However, a notable point is the impact of power struggles and internal disputes on the relief process, which is gradually being reflected in Hebrew media.

Yisrael Hayom reported in this regard: Despite the scale of the wildfire in the hills surrounding Jerusalem, no Sismon aircraft belonging to the Air Force were deployed to combat the fire for hours.

The Air Force, in response to the criticisms, claimed it had not received any request to deploy these aircraft and acted immediately upon receiving such a request.

According to the outlet, although Israel has requested assistance from various countries to extinguish the fire, due to weather conditions and the onset of night, this aid will arrive tomorrow.

Yedioth Ahronoth also revealed in a report that power struggles and disputes among various institutions caused Israel to be unable to deploy 10 firefighting aircraft for hours.

According to the outlet, while Israel is burning, internal politics and disputes among politicians have prevented the use of services from two private companies that own 10 firefighting aircraft.

Informed sources told the outlet that, while Israel is burning, authorities are unwilling to use the services of 10 firefighting aircraft owned by two Israeli companies and have instead requested help from Greece and Italy.