Israel declares national emergency, seeks global assistance as massive wildfire nears Jerusalem

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared a national emergency and appealed for international assistance as massive wildfires continue to spread rapidly near Jerusalem, forcing evacuations and hospitalising several people.

According to a report by The Independent, thick smoke blanketed parts of the region on Wednesday as panicked residents abandoned their vehicles and fled the advancing flames.

At least a dozen people have been hospitalised, primarily for smoke inhalation, while emergency responders treated another ten on-site, Magen David Adom ambulance services said. Police confirmed that residents living close to the fire zone were evacuated as a precaution.

"This is perhaps the largest fire ever in the country," said Shmulik Friedman, commander of the Jerusalem district fire department, during a press briefing on Wednesday afternoon. 

He added that strong winds reaching speeds of 60 miles per hour were making the situation increasingly difficult. "It will continue for a very long time. We are far from having control."

Prime Minister Netanyahu echoed the concern, warning that the flames could spread further into the capital.  

"The western wind can push the fire easily toward the outskirts of (Jerusalem) — and even into the city itself," he said in a video released by his office.

Video footage from the area showed vehicles stranded as flames roared across the landscape. In one clip, fire could be seen approaching a Catholic monastery, heightening fears of structural damage and further evacuations.

In response to Israel's international call for help, Ukraine has pledged to send a firefighting aircraft. Additional support has also been confirmed from Spain, France, Romania, Croatia and Italy.

Firefighters continue to battle the blaze under dangerous conditions, with officials warning that containment efforts may stretch for days amid high winds and dry conditions.