"Hours after the massive fire in the Latrun area (between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv) was brought under control, the fire resumed in the area today," Maariv said. Israeli firefighters were rushing to the scene, it added. However, the Israeli Fire Authority said in a post on the X platform: "There are currently no dramatic events in the fire zones in Jerusalem."
She added: "Several smoke points are being monitored, and firefighting forces and aircraft continue to operate. Control is complete."
On Thursday evening, Israel announced that it had brought the fires that swept through the area between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv under control, about 30 hours after they broke out and consumed approximately 20,000 dunams.
Hebrew media outlets, including the official broadcasting authority, reported that the fires were likely caused by "the carelessness of hikers," not by any human action.
Contrary to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's accusation that individuals were responsible for setting the fires, Channel 12 reported that "the central fires in the Jerusalem Hills were not set intentionally and are believed to be the result of negligence." Authorities are investigating the cause of the fires in the same area where similar, less intense blazes occurred last week.
"This fire is part of the climate crisis that must not be ignored," President Isaac Herzog told The Times of Israel on Thursday. "It requires us to prepare for significant and significant challenges and to make decisions, including appropriate legislation."
The fires between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, the largest in years, have forced the evacuation of 10 towns and settlements and have spread due to high temperatures and strong winds in the forested area.
