{"id":21385,"date":"2025-04-30T14:38:10","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T11:38:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reganews.co.il\/en\/?p=21385"},"modified":"2025-04-30T21:00:27","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T18:00:27","slug":"defense-minister-orders-idf-to-assist-firefighters-we-are-in-a-state-of-emergency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reganews.co.il\/en\/defense-minister-orders-idf-to-assist-firefighters-we-are-in-a-state-of-emergency\/","title":{"rendered":"Security Forces Detain Suspected Arsonists as Firefighting Efforts Continue"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

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 \u201cRed Torch\u201d protocol, which includes mobilizing teams from all districts across the country.<\/p>\n

Israel has requested international assistance. Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Croatia, and Bulgaria have responded and are expected to send firefighting aircraft, including the Supertanker.<\/p>\n

Live Updates \u2013 Minute by Minute<\/strong><\/p>\n

19:49<\/strong> \u2013 Police update: Residents of Eshtaol may return to their homes.<\/p>\n

19:39<\/strong> \u2013 Police announced the evacuation of the communities of Neve Ilan, Nataf, Yad HaShmona, and Shoresh. Instructions for residents:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Evacuate immediately according to the directions of security forces on site.
\u2022 Ensure all household members are with you, including children, the elderly, and pets.
\u2022 Take only essential personal belongings.
\u2022 Assist people with disabilities and elderly individuals.
\u2022 Do not approach fire zones\u2014there is a real and immediate danger to life.
\u2022 Avoid traveling to the area unless necessary, and follow instructions from the forces operating in the field.
\u2022 Stay tuned to continuous updates via media outlets and official police channels.<\/p>\n

19:20<\/strong> \u2013 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\u2014there is no reported damage to Bezeq, HOT, IBC, or Partner networks.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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Home Front Command in Action | Photo: IDF Spokesperson\u2019s Unit<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Home Front Command in Action | Photo: IDF Spokesperson\u2019s Unit<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

19:01<\/strong> \u2013 Minister Sa\u2019ar spoke with foreign ministers from several countries. Over the past hour, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa\u2019ar 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.<\/p>\n

18:01<\/strong> \u2013 The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) is now involved in investigating the origin of the fires.<\/p>\n

17:46<\/strong> \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

17:23<\/strong> \u2013 The evacuation of Mevo Horon and the Canada Park area concluded<\/p>\n

16:58<\/strong> \u2013 Journalist Liran Tamari reports that police arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged arson that sparked the massive wildfires in the Jerusalem Hills,<\/p>\n

16:44<\/strong> \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

16:35<\/strong> \u2013 The IDF\u2019s elite Unit 669 arrived in the fire zone on standby for rescue operations. In addition to providing engineering tools and water tankers, the IDF\u2019s Technology and Logistics Directorate has mobilized to support firefighters and assist civilians. Forces are operating in full coordination with police and fire services.<\/p>\n

16:25<\/strong> \u2013 The community of Eshtaol evacuated.<\/p>\n

16:20<\/strong> \u2013 Emergency teams report approximately 30 people injured, primarily due to smoke inhalation or minor injuries sustained while fleeing the fire.<\/p>\n

16:14<\/strong> \u2013 The Jerusalem Municipality announces that tonight\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

16:06<\/strong> \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

15:56<\/strong> \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

15:44<\/strong> \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

Four Vehicles Burned<\/strong>
\nDuring 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\u2014fortunately, no one was trapped inside. Several of those rescued sustained mild injuries from smoke inhalation and are receiving treatment on site.<\/p>\n

The fire, driven by strong winds, is spreading quickly. Multiple roads have been closed, and entire communities\u2014such as Neve Shalom and Nachshon\u2014have been evacuated.<\/p>\n

Police Chief Rushes to Command Center<\/strong>
\nPolice 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.<\/p>\n

Emergency Response “Red Torch” Activated<\/strong>
\nGiven the scale and complexity of the situation, National Fire and Rescue Commissioner Eyal Kaspi has ordered the activation of \u201cRed Torch\u201d\u2014a special emergency protocol enabling the nationwide mobilization of firefighting forces and significant reinforcement deployments.<\/p>\n

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\u2014 \u05d3\u05e1\u05e7 \u05e8\u05d2\u05e2 (@deskrega) April 30, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n