More than 100 firefighting teams have been working since Wednesday morning in the Jerusalem Hills region to contain a massive wildfire that ignited in several areas and spread to the outskirts of Route 1. The fire initially broke out near Mesilat Zion and continued spreading toward Ramat Beit Shemesh, Canada Park, Neve Shalom, and Mitzpe Harel.
The IDF is working in full coordination with the Israel Police and Fire and Rescue Services to assist in extinguishing the fires. Due to the intensity of the flames, Fire and Rescue Commissioner Eyal Caspi declared the highest level of alert by activating the “Red Torch” protocol, which includes mobilizing teams from all districts across the country.
Israel has requested international assistance. Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Croatia, and Bulgaria have responded and are expected to send firefighting aircraft, including the Supertanker.
Live Updates – Minute by Minute
19:49 – Police update: Residents of Eshtaol may return to their homes.
19:39 – Police announced the evacuation of the communities of Neve Ilan, Nataf, Yad HaShmona, and Shoresh. Instructions for residents:
• Evacuate immediately according to the directions of security forces on site.
• Ensure all household members are with you, including children, the elderly, and pets.
• Take only essential personal belongings.
• Assist people with disabilities and elderly individuals.
• Do not approach fire zones—there is a real and immediate danger to life.
• Avoid traveling to the area unless necessary, and follow instructions from the forces operating in the field.
• Stay tuned to continuous updates via media outlets and official police channels.
19:20 – 22 cellular sites have gone offline in the Jerusalem hills area, mostly due to power outages. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi received reports from telecom companies about damage to communications infrastructure in the affected areas. As for landline infrastructure—there is no reported damage to Bezeq, HOT, IBC, or Partner networks.
According to the companies, emergency forces in the field have coverage and are in regular contact with them. The 22 cellular sites that went down in the Jerusalem hills area were mostly affected by power cuts.
19:01 – Minister Sa’ar spoke with foreign ministers from several countries. Over the past hour, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar held calls to request assistance in dealing with the fires, speaking with the foreign ministers of the UK, France, Czech Republic, Sweden, Argentina, Spain, North Macedonia, and Azerbaijan.
18:01 – The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) is now involved in investigating the origin of the fires.
17:46 – Due to night-time limitations, international assistance is expected to begin tomorrow. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reached out to nearby countries, including Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Italy, and Bulgaria. An inter-agency coordination team is managing the reception of aid based on evolving situational assessments. Given the limitations of firefighting aircraft during night flights, international air support is expected to commence operations tomorrow morning.
17:23 – The evacuation of Mevo Horon and the Canada Park area concluded
16:58 – Journalist Liran Tamari reports that police arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged arson that sparked the massive wildfires in the Jerusalem Hills,
16:44 – Due to a forecasted shift in wind direction, Hadassah Hospital advises the public to avoid visiting unless necessary. While there is currently no direct threat to Hadassah Ein Kerem, precautionary evacuations of non-critical patients are underway. The hospital is also preparing to receive potential fire-related casualties.
16:35 – The IDF’s elite Unit 669 arrived in the fire zone on standby for rescue operations. In addition to providing engineering tools and water tankers, the IDF’s Technology and Logistics Directorate has mobilized to support firefighters and assist civilians. Forces are operating in full coordination with police and fire services.
16:25 – The community of Eshtaol evacuated.
16:20 – Emergency teams report approximately 30 people injured, primarily due to smoke inhalation or minor injuries sustained while fleeing the fire.
16:14 – The Jerusalem Municipality announces that tonight’s Independence Day events are canceled. Following a weather and safety assessment by Mayor Moshe Lion and senior officials, it was decided to cancel all celebrations planned for the evening. Events planned for tomorrow are expected to proceed as scheduled.
16:06 – Fire-related events requiring firefighting presence to be canceled. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Commissioner Eyal Kaspi directed all event organizers to cancel activities requiring fire crew presence, to free up emergency resources for the escalating situation and worsening weather conditions.
15:56 – Public transportation reinforced; nighttime flights for firefighting aircraft approved. The Ministry of Transport opened an emergency operations center and bolstered public transport services, especially between central Israel and Jerusalem via Route 443. Director General Moshe Ben Zaken held a situational briefing with infrastructure and meteorological agencies. All companies were instructed to provide on-site assistance as needed.
Transport Minister Miri Regev instructed the Airports Authority to allocate dedicated air slots and routes for incoming firefighting aircraft. Nighttime flights for emergency aid have been approved, overriding civil aviation regulations to ensure continuous and unrestricted air support.
15:44 – Joint situational briefing between Police Commissioner and Minister Ben Gvir focused on current wildfire spread, forecast developments, and continued coordination among all forces in the field, working together to save lives.
Four Vehicles Burned
During rescue operations on Route 1, nine people were pulled from vehicles trapped in thick smoke. At the scene, three private cars and a truck burned down completely—fortunately, no one was trapped inside. Several of those rescued sustained mild injuries from smoke inhalation and are receiving treatment on site.
The fire, driven by strong winds, is spreading quickly. Multiple roads have been closed, and entire communities—such as Neve Shalom and Nachshon—have been evacuated.
Police Chief Rushes to Command Center
Police Commissioner Dani Levy was forced to leave the memorial ceremony at Mount Herzl and hurry to the field command center to coordinate firefighting and evacuation efforts. Police have set up roadblocks and diverted traffic to alternate routes.
Emergency Response “Red Torch” Activated
Given the scale and complexity of the situation, National Fire and Rescue Commissioner Eyal Kaspi has ordered the activation of “Red Torch”—a special emergency protocol enabling the nationwide mobilization of firefighting forces and significant reinforcement deployments.
השריפה באזור אשתאול | צילום: עובדי ויערני קק״ל pic.twitter.com/EpkYMduGRs
— דסק רגע (@deskrega) April 30, 2025
The decision followed an urgent operational assessment due to the intensity of the flames and the fire’s spread across multiple sectors. The focus is on protecting communities, transportation routes, and public infrastructure.
Defense Minister Instructed the IDF to Assist in Fire and Rescue Operations
In response to the escalating wildfire emergency in central Israel, Defense Minister Israel Katz has directed IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen.Eyal Zamir to deploy the military in support of fire and rescue operations. “We are in a national emergency,” said Minister Katz. “All available forces must be mobilized to save lives and bring the fires under control.”
The Latest Updates:
3:44 PM – Joint Situation Assessment
Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir are leading a joint situational review, focusing on real-time fire spread data and interagency coordination. All emergency units remain active on the ground in a unified mission to save lives.
3:22 PM – Evacuation Begins in Mishmar Ayalon
Police initiate evacuation of the town of Mishmar Ayalon. Officials are preparing to evacuate additional communities as conditions worsen.
3:08 PM – Residents and Hikers Evacuated
Evacuation of Mevo Horon is underway. Local residents are being asked to leave independently, while council buses are en route. Simultaneously, hikers are being cleared from King’s Forest. Route to Latrun is blocked; evacuees are directed to exit via Modi’in.
3:00 PM – IDF Mobilized to Assist
The IDF Spokesperson confirms: Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi has ordered all relevant military units to assist in firefighting and evacuation efforts.
2:51 PM – Preparations for Incoming Aircraft
Israel Airports Authority and the National Security Council are preparing for the arrival of international firefighting aircraft, including the deployment of the SuperTanker.
2:43 PM – Defense Minister Declares National Emergency
Defense Minister Israel Katz directs the IDF to support fire crews:
“We are in a national emergency. Every resource must be deployed to save lives and bring the fires under control.”
2:40 PM – Bulgaria Joins Firefighting Effort
Bulgaria becomes the fifth country to pledge aerial support, joining Greece, Cyprus, Italy, and Croatia.
2:30 PM – Injuries Reported
Magen David Adom (MDA) confirms 12 people injured from smoke inhalation, two others treated for minor burns. Emergency readiness is at Level 1 – highest alert.
2:25 PM – Reception Center Established
A civilian reception center for evacuees has been opened in Moshav Tal Shahar.
2:15 PM – International Aid Underway
Israel’s emergency appeal yields swift responses. Greece, Cyprus, Italy, and Croatia have confirmed deployment of firefighting aircraft to assist.
2:10 PM – Rescues Under Smoke
Drivers trapped on Highway 1 are rescued from vehicles surrounded by fire and smoke. Several treated for mild smoke inhalation.
For Those Living in Israel:
Road Closures (As of 2:15 PM)
Highway 1: Closed in both directions between Sha’ar HaGai and Anava Interchange
Highway 3: Closed between Latrun and Nakhshon
Highway 424: Closed from Hativat Sheva Junction toward Ramla
Train Disruptions and Widening Threat
Due to the proximity of fires, rail service on the Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon–Modi’in Central line has been suspended. Trains on the Jerusalem–Herzliya line are terminating at Ben Gurion Airport, with further changes likely.
Emergency Deployment of ATV Units
In a special emergency briefing held at the command post in Eshtaol, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir ordered the deployment of off-road rescue and ATV units from northern Israel to assist with evacuations, search operations, and firefighting support. “The preservation of life is our top priority,” Ben Gvir declared. “All agencies must act with full coordination and maximum speed to gain control over the fire zones.”
Citizens were urged to follow all emergency instructions and avoid approaching active fire areas, both for their safety and to allow rescue crews to work unhindered.
International Support En Route
Israel has officially requested firefighting aircraft from Greece, Cyprus, Italy, and Croatia—all of which have confirmed assistance and are expected to send support within hours.
Police are emphasizing that there is heavy traffic congestion across the entire area and are urging the public to stay away from fire zones and follow security forces’ instructions.
