RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT ‘IDF' - MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO ---EDITORIAL USE ONLY--- SHOTLIST: TEL AVIV, ISRAEL (RELEASED ON APRIL 30, 2025) (IDF - RESTRICTED) 1. AERIAL FOOTAGE OF BURNING AREAS 2. VARIOUS OF INSIDE OF AIRCRAFT AND ISRAELI SOLDIERS WHILE FIGHTING FIRE 3. BURNING AREA BEING SEEN FROM HELICOPTER TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - RELEASED ON APRIL 30: Nearly two dozen people were injured as a result of smoke inhalation as Israeli authorities evacuated several towns and closed a major highway in central Israel on Wednesday amid wildfires caused by high temperatures, with Tel Aviv requesting international assistance to contain the rapidly spreading flames. According to Israel's Channel 12, the fires now exceed the scale of the devastating 2010 Carmel forest fire, and public broadcaster KAN reports that at least 20 people have been injured, the majority of whom have suffered from smoke inhalation. Assaf Harofeh Hospital near Jerusalem has confirmed receiving 10 people for treatment, KAN added. Earlier, Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth said 12 people were injured in the raging fires. A statement by the Fire and Rescue Service said the communities of Neveh Shalom, Beko'a, Ta'oz, Nachshon, and Mesilat Tzion were evacuated. The evacuations were triggered by raging fires that erupted in several areas due to soaring temperatures and strong winds, as 111 firefighting teams and 11 aircraft battled to extinguish the flames. KAN also reported a raging fire in the Eshtaol Forest area between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. According to KAN, authorities issued instructions for possible evacuations of more communities due to the wildfires. The Fire and Rescue Service raised its alert level to its highest due to the raging fires and asked for international help to extinguish the flames between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Authorities also closed the main highway connecting the two cities as a precaution. Israel has requested firefighting aircraft from Greece, Croatia, Italy, and the Greek Cypriot Administration to help extinguish the fires between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, KAN said. Channel 7 reported that air force bases are prepared to accommodate foreign militaries' firefighting planes if necessary. Due to the fires, train services between Ashdod and Ashkelon in the south had been suspended, forcing passengers to disembark, Israel Hayom daily reported. Meanwhile, Israel’s Minister of Transport Miri Regev issued directions to concerned authorities that diesel-powered trains be prepared for deployment if the country's electrical grid is compromised by ongoing wildfires, Army Radio reported. Jerusalem District Fire and Rescue Commander Shmulik Friedman said these wildfires may be ‘the largest in Israel’s history, the Radio reported. Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a nationwide state of emergency earlier in the day and ordered the army to assist firefighters in the Jerusalem hills region. Channel 12 said that Israel canceled all scheduled “Independence Day” celebrations due to the massive wildfires. “Independence Day,” marking the 1948 establishment of Israel, coincides with Palestinian commemorations of the Nakba, referring to the mass displacement of Palestinians during that period when Zionist gangs carried out massacres against civilians. Last week, Israeli rescue authorities evacuated residents from several towns in central Israel amid widespread wildfires triggered by soaring temperatures and strong winds, which destroyed 10,000 dunums (2,500 acres) and injured nine people.