Israel Declares National Emergency as Devastating Wildfires Threaten Jerusalem

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Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared a national emergency in response to what officials describe as the worst wildfires in a decade, rapidly advancing towards Jerusalem. The fires have prompted significant evacuations and led to the closure of the main Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway, according to the Israeli fire services, which labeled the blazes as among the "largest-ever" seen in the country.

Thick smoke has enveloped highways near Jerusalem, as firefighters, supported by military units, work to contain the flames that have already injured several individuals. The Magen David Adom rescue agency warned that hundreds of civilians are in peril due to the wildfire's intensity. "A lot of police arrived, a lot of firefighters, but it didn’t really help," reported student Yosef Aaron to AFP, underscoring the severity of the situation.

Fire chief Eyal Caspi noted that adverse weather conditions have hindered aerial firefighting efforts, calling the potential for this fire to be the "largest in Israel in a decade" a serious concern. Israel has requested assistance from neighboring countries, including Italy and Croatia, which will provide aircraft to aid in firefighting efforts.

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