Israel Declares National Emergency As Wildfires Threaten Jerusalem

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a 'national emergency' on Wednesday as wildfires rapidly advanced near Jerusalem, with the potential to reach the city itself.

Thick plumes of smoke rose into the air above highways, as firefighters battled the flames, which have already injured several individuals and led to the deployment of military troops to assist in firefighting efforts, as reported by NST Online .

This comes immediately after wildfires scorched the slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town , burning around 3 000 hectares of vegetation. The blaze, which started on 28 April 2025, forced the evacuation of nearly 200 homes, including those housing frail care residents.

Israels Magen David Adom MDA rescue service reported that hundreds of civilians were at risk from what has been described as the worst brushfire outbreak in recent years. MDA confirmed treating approximately 23 people, 13 of whom were hospitalised with smoke inhalation and burns, including two pregnant women and two infants under a year old. In response to the growing danger, the national alert level was raised to the highest tier.

Yuval Aharoni, a resident near Modiin, shared his frustration, stating, 'Its very sad because we knew the weather conditions, and yet we still feel that the authorities were not fully prepared, especially with larger planes capable of dropping significant amounts of water.' Netanyahu, in his video address, warned that the western winds could push the fires toward the outskirts of Jerusalem and possibly into the city itself. 'The priority right now is defending Jerusalem,' Netanyahu emphasized, urging for as many fire engines as possible and the creation of firebreaks beyond the current fire lines.