TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Wildfires blaze near Jerusalem, Israel, forcing people to evacuate and leading to major road closures on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, as firefighters battle to contain the flames amid dry conditions and strong winds.
Israel is seeking assistance from other countries to fight the wildfires. Israel has also declared a national state of emergency due to the fire. Shmulik Friedman, Commander of the Jerusalem District Fire Department, was quoted by CNN as saying, "This is perhaps the largest fire ever in the country."
He warned that winds exceeding 60 miles per hour are expected to occur in the near future, increasing the risk of the fire.
The fire has forced authorities to close Route 1, the major road connecting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Wednesday. Videos from social media showed people walking along the highway engulfed in thick smoke.
Several hours later, officers ran among the long lines of abandoned cars on the highway. Officers searched for anyone still inside the cars, according to a video from United Hatzalah, an emergency response organization.
"We don’t know at this time what caused the fire. We don’t have even a bit of a clue. We are still not dealing with it,” Friedman said.
The fire broke out at several points, one of which was around the town of Neve Shalom, located about 15 miles west of Jerusalem. A circulating video showed flames on the side of the road along a crowded highway.
Israeli police said they had arrested a suspect attempting to set fire to an open field. "Officers from the Jerusalem District arrested a resident of East Jerusalem who was caught in the act of attempting to set fire to a field in the southern part of the city," the Police Spokesperson Unit said in a statement on Wednesday.
During a press conference in the Eshtaol community, Shmulik Friedman warned that the fires in the Jerusalem hills may be the largest ever recorded in the country. The fires have not yet been extinguished.
He noted that the fire occurred near Mesilat Zion, Beit Shemesh, around 9:30 a.m. The fire quickly spread westward due to strong winds before shifting direction to the east. “We are far from control,” he said as quoted from Times of Israel. He warned that the fire may continue to worsen as the winds are expected to increase and reach speeds of up to 90-100 kilometers per hour (56-62 mph).
Editor’s Choice: South Korea Mulls Residence Visa for Indonesian Who Rescue Elderly Village from Wildfires
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesia Urges Israel to Comply with International Obligations Towards Palestine
6 jam lalu
Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono proposed five obligations for Israel during the ICJ session.
Iran Executes Man Convicted of Spying for Israel's Mossad
15 jam lalu
An Iranian citizen was executed for espionage and collaboration with Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad.
Gaza Death Toll Surges to 52,243 Following Israeli Attacks
3 hari lalu
The ministry of health in Gaza announced on Sunday that the death toll from Israeli attacks has risen to at least 52,243.
Hamas Agrees to 5-Year Ceasefire in Gaza; Here's What They Want
4 hari lalu
Hamas is open to a deal to end the war in Gaza, which will involve releasing all Israeli hostages and securing a five-year ceasefire.
Massive Blast at Iranian Port Kills 14, Injures 750
4 hari lalu
Video on social media shows a large black plume of smoke and a fireball rocketing from the explosion site at Shahid Rajaei port in Iran.
Sharaa Signals Willingness to Normalize Ties with Israel: Turning Point for Syria?
5 hari lalu
Syria's Ahmed al-Sharaa, has unexpectedly expressed interest in normalizing relations with Israel, marking a shift from Damascus long-standing stance.
No Israeli Envoy to Attend Pope Francis' Funeral
5 hari lalu
The funeral of Pope Francis today was only attended by the Israeli ambassador to the Vatican.
Bulgaria Demands Compensation from Israel over Killed UN Staffer in Gaza
5 hari lalu
A United Nations staff from Bulgaria, Marin Marinov, was killed in an explosion caused by an Israeli tank last month
Palestine's Mahmoud Abbas 'Insulting' Remark on Hamas Draws Flak
5 hari lalu
This controversial statement immediately sparked anger from Hamas and other resistance groups.
Gaza Death Toll Nears 51,400 as Israel Resumes Strikes
6 hari lalu
At least 50 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza in the past 24 hours. This brings the death toll from Israel's genocidal war since October 2023 to 51,355 people, according to the Health Ministry on Thursday.
