30 Apr 2025

Crisis in the Hills: Fire Threatens Jerusalem-Area Communities

Tired Earth

By The Editorial Board

One after another, Israel’s unregulated settlements are falling prey to wildfires.

A large fire broke out on Wednesday morning in a forested area near the town of "Oasis of Peace" (Wahat al-Salam) in the Jerusalem Hills, just one week after massive wildfires swept through the region.

Israeli firefighting authorities declared a state of maximum emergency, the highest level of alert, and issued a nationwide mobilization order for all firefighting teams.

As a precautionary measure, Israeli police began evacuating residents from "Oasis of Peace" and other nearby towns, amid concerns that the flames could spread to residential areas.

Last week, after more than 21 hours of continuous effort, Israeli fire crews announced on Thursday that they had managed to bring large wildfires in the Beit Shemesh area and Jerusalem Hills under control.

Authorities had previously ordered the evacuation of several Jewish communities, including Eshtaol, Beit Meir, Mesilat Zion, Sha'ar HaGai, and Tarum, but later allowed residents to return. The Ministries of Environmental Protection and Health issued guidelines urging returning residents to avoid physical activity and ensure their homes are well-ventilated.

Source : news agencies

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