In brief
As wildfires burn near Jerusalem, officials have reopened major roads and are racing against time, fearing strong winds may reignite flames, while investigations into potential arson are underway.
Firefighters are engaged in a fierce battle against wildfires on the outskirts of Jerusalem for the second consecutive day, striving to control one of the most severe fire outbreaks the country has faced in years. Following considerable efforts, authorities reopened the key highway connecting Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, allowing residents and evacuees from both Israel and the Israeli-occupied West Bank to return home after the fires had forced interruptions to Independence Day celebrations.Yet, as firefighters work diligently to fully extinguish the flames, they remain on high alert for predicted increases in wind speed that could potentially exacerbate the situation, according to Tal Volvovitch, spokesperson for Israel’s fire and rescue service. “We’re doing everything we can to finish in the coming hours because the wind gusts can bring us back to where we started,” she stated.While the precise origin of the fires remains uncertain, reports indicate that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced the detention of 18 individuals suspected of arson, including one caught red-handed. Netanyahu also highlighted that strong winds, along with dry conditions and open shrub lands, have created a “deadly combination” that has fueled these wildfires. In a related incident, Israeli police arrested a 19-year-old man from an East Jerusalem neighborhood for allegedly promoting the wildfires on social media.To aid in firefighting efforts, planes from Croatia, Italy, and Cyprus are set to arrive on Thursday, enhancing the local response. Notably, while the Palestinian Authority has extended an offer of assistance, spokesperson Volvovitch suggested collaboration would not occur. This contrasts a previous incident in 2021 when Palestinian firefighters joined Israeli forces in combating wildfires.In light of the situation, Israel’s fire and rescue service has imposed a ban on lighting fires in open areas until May 7, though designated areas for barbecues remain open for festivities. Each year, many Israelis take to parks and beaches for barbecues to celebrate Independence Day, but safety measures take precedence in the face of the ongoing emergency.
