Jerusalem wildfires latest: Israel says blaze is largely contained as help arrives from across Europe
Israel’s allies in Europe are sending over aid in the coming hours to tackle blazing wildfires after prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the situation a national emergency, pleading for international aid.
Wildfires raging outside of Jerusalem have reportedly destroyed almost 5,000 acres of land, including 3,000 acres of forest, according to Fire and Rescue Services.
Firefighter planes from Greece, Cyprus, Croatia and Italy will arrive to tackle the blaze in the coming hours, with reports that Ukraine, Spain, France and more have also committed to sending aid.
The cause of the flames remain unclear, although Mr Netanyahu said that 18 people had been arrested on suspicion of igniting the wildfires.
At least a dozen people have been hospitalised and 10 have been treated in the field by medical professionals.
“This is perhaps the largest fire ever in the country,” Jerusalem’s district fire department commander Shmulik Friedman told reporters on Wednesday afternoon.
He warned that winds of 60 miles an hour were making the situation challenging and could dramatically increasing the risk of the fires “in the near future”.
“It will continue for a very long time. We are far from having control.”
