JERUSALEM - APRIL 30, 2025 - ISRAELI POLICE – RESTRICTED: Israeli authorities evacuated several towns and closed a major highway in central Israel on Wednesday, April 30, amid wildfires caused by high temperatures. Tel Aviv has also called for international assistance to contain the rapidly spreading flames. The Fire and Rescue Service raised its alert level to its highest due to the raging fires and asked for global help to extinguish the flames between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Authorities also closed the main highway connecting the two cities as a precaution. A statement by the Fire and Rescue Service said the communities of Neveh Shalom, Beko'a, Ta'oz, Nachshon, and Mesilat Tzion were evacuated. Israeli public broadcaster 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. Israel has requested firefighting aircraft from Greece, Croatia, Italy, and the Greek Cypriot Administration to help extinguish the blaze, KAN reported. Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth said 12 people were injured in the raging fires. Last week, Israeli rescue authorities evacuated residents from several towns amid widespread wildfires triggered by soaring temperatures and strong winds, which destroyed 10,000 dunums (2,500 acres) and injured nine people.