Overview

• Israel has declared a national emergency as wildfires spread rapidly near Jerusalem, fueled by high winds and rising temperatures.
• A large blaze in the Eshtaol Forest west of Jerusalem has become the focal point of firefighting efforts, with authorities issuing special alerts for severe fires.
• Hamas and associated networks have used Telegram to incite Palestinians to ignite wildfires and target settler properties, escalating tensions in the region.
• Israeli police have arrested multiple suspects, including a man in East Jerusalem found with incendiary materials, on suspicion of arson linked to the fires.
• Defense Minister Israel Katz has directed the IDF to deploy troops to assist in firefighting operations and prevent further arson attacks.