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By Barney Henderson
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Wildfires erupted Wednesday in the Eshtaol Forest on the outskirts of Jerusalem.
Nearby communities were evacuated and several roads were closed, authorities said.
Videos shared on X showed flames engulfing cars on the main Jerusalem highway and people tried to escape the fire.
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It marks the second time in a week that wildfires have swept through the hills west of Israel's capital, displacing residents and straining emergency services.
The Fire and Rescue Service reported active blazes in at least five separate locations across the Jerusalem hills, as crews battled to contain the flames amid hot, dry conditions.
Israel Asks Greece, Cyprus, Italy and Croatia for Help
Israel has requested urgent assistance from four European nations, according to reports from local media.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar appealed to Greece, Cyprus, Italy, and Croatia to deploy firefighting aircraft and helicopters, including large-capacity supertankers, to support Israeli efforts to contain the fast-moving blazes.
The Israeli government's emergency outreach highlights growing concerns over the intensity and spread of the fires.
Israel Deploys Military to Battle Fires
Israel has deployed military forces to assist firefighters battling the fast-moving wildfires, as Defense Minister Israel Katz declared the situation a "national emergency" on Wednesday.
The escalating crisis has triggered widespread evacuations and disrupted travel along one of the country's most vital highways.
Katz ordered the Israel Defense Forces to bolster firefighting operations in response to the growing threat posed by the blazes.
"We are facing a national emergency, and all available forces must be mobilised to save lives and bring the fires under control," Katz said in a statement issued by the Defense Ministry.
The Magen David Adom emergency service said hundreds of civilians were at risk as flames tore through dry brush near residential zones. At least 16 people were treated for minor injuries related to smoke inhalation, according to the agency, which raised its operational alert to the highest level.
Police have shuttered the main highway linking Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, a critical artery for central Israel, and ordered evacuations along the route as thick smoke and advancing
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