Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed alarm over the rapidly fanning wildfires nationwide, declaring a national emergency. On Wednesday, thick smoke filled the skies near Jerusalem as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. The fires have caused several injuries and led the military to deploy troops for assistance. Israel's Magen David Adom (MDA) rescue agency described the wildfires as the worst in years, warning that hundreds of civilians were at risk. MDA reported treating 23 people, with 13 requiring hospital care, most of them suffering from smoke inhalation and burns. Among the wounded were two pregnant women and two infants under one year old.

The alert level has been raised to its highest tier as firefighters continue to toil with the wildfire. A 40-year-old Yuval Aharoni shared his thoughts with AFP about the situation on the ground. “It’s just very sad because we knew the weather, we kind of knew that would happen, and still we feel like they weren’t ready enough with the big planes that can drop large amounts of water," he said. As the wildfires continue, Netanyahu warned that “the western wind can push the fire easily towards the outskirts of [Jerusalem] – and even into the city itself.” He emphasised, “We need to bring as many fire engines as possible and create firebreaks well beyond the current fire lines … We are now in a national emergency, not just a local one”. He stated in a video message on Wednesday. “The priority right now is defending Jerusalem,” he continued.

Authorities have closed the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway and evacuated residents in line with the route as brushfires have flared up again in an area already devastated by fires a week ago. In a televised press briefing, Fire Chief Eyal Caspi explained, “Our aircraft can’t do anything right now due to the weather conditions… Our goal is to save lives,” and added, "We are apparently facing the largest fire in Israel in a decade.”

The Israeli police announced on X that they had stationed forces around the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway and the Jerusalem Hills, advising the public to “avoid travelling to the area.” National security minister Itamar Ben Gvir suggested that arson might be responsible for the fires. Police reported the arrest of a resident from East Jerusalem who was caught “attempting to set fire to a field in the southern part of the city,” but no official link has been made between this incident and the larger fires.