Israel Appeals For International Aid As Fires Surge Toward Jerusalem

A huge wildfire outside Jerusalem in Israel that was thought to be largely under control began to spread again “at a very high speed” on Monday afternoon, officials said, triggering the evacuation of local residents and prompting the government to seek international aid.

Multiple towns and villages near the Sataf forest area and along the Route 1 highway that connects Jerusalem and Tel Aviv were threatened by the resurgent blaze, officials said, as firefighters deployed along Jerusalem’s southern perimeter to establish a new defensive line against the spread of the fire toward the capital.

After rescue officials asked the government to request international help in battling the out-of-control wildfires, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett ordered officials in the Public Security Ministry and the National Security Council to coordinate an international aid request.

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid spoke with his Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias, on Monday evening, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Ministry officials have sent requests for help to Cyprus, Italy, France and other nearby nations. According to the ministry, Israel is asking for firefighting planes to help battle the blaze in the Jerusalem Hills beginning Tuesday morning.

Jerusalem Police chief Yoram Halevy said Monday that police were preparing to evacuate Hadassah Hospital Ein Karem, the largest hospital in the country, which lies in the path of the blaze, should it become necessary. Earlier, hospital officials denied media reports of an evacuation but said they were in close touch with police and rescue officials.