Overview

• The wildfire, which began in the Eshtaol Forest west of Jerusalem on April 30, burned an estimated 6,000 acres, including 3,000 acres of forest.
• Evacuation orders for a dozen towns and closures of the Jerusalem–Tel Aviv highway have been lifted as the fire is now largely contained.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a national emergency and sought international aid, with firefighting aircraft deployed from Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Italy, and other nations.
• Authorities have arrested 18 individuals on suspicion of arson, with investigations ongoing into the fire's origins.
• The fire coincided with Israel's Memorial Day and Independence Day, disrupting celebrations and damaging agricultural lands, though no fatalities were reported.