Overview

• Israeli emergency teams have contained wildfires west of Jerusalem, with major routes, including the Jerusalem–Tel Aviv highway, reopened to traffic.
• The fires, fueled by extreme heat and strong winds, prompted evacuations of multiple communities and the treatment of 23 people for smoke-related injuries.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the situation a national emergency, deploying military and emergency units to assist in firefighting and rescue efforts.
• International firefighting aircraft from countries including Italy, Croatia, and Spain joined the operation, bolstering containment efforts.
• Authorities are investigating potential arson, with one suspect detained, while residents begin returning to their homes as emergency teams address lingering hotspots.