Multiple fires erupt in Israel

A forest fire in the Jerusalem Mountains caused the evacuation of a community on Wednesday, throughout a two-day string of wildfires in Israel.

The blaze erupted in the morning near Nataf, a community 18 km west of Jerusalem, amidst a series of days of dry and windy weather.

Police spokeswoman Luba Samri said the entire community was evacuated as the fire quickly spread toward residences.

A statement released by the Fire and Rescue Service said that 25 fire teams and multiple firefighting jets were dispatched to the site.

Several homes and public structures caught fire, reported local media.

Firefighters were still unable to control the fire hours later, as it spread toward Neve Illan, where many television studios are located, as well as Mevo Horon, a Jewish settlement across the Green Line in the West Bank.

Also on Wednesday, a fire which was subdued the night before restarted in Zichron Ya'akov in northern Israel.

The brushfire damaged dozens of homes, and at least 10 people, including four toddlers, needed medical attention for smoke inhalation.

Several other wildfires erupted throughout Israel in the past two days during the exceptionally dry weather which was accompanied by strong winds from the east.

The fires were mostly attributed to the hot winds, however police forces launched an investigation to check potential arson. Endit