After hours of intense struggle, the flames that threatened Jerusalem and its surroundings are finally contained. The authorities remain vigilant in the face of the risk of recovery.
The fires that surrounded the Jerusalem region for forty-eight hours are now under control, according to Israeli rescue services. The main roads, cut in the midst of a crisis, were reopened to traffic, marking a progressive return to normal.
Thousands of residents had to leave their homes in the center of the country on Wednesday, while the flames were gaining ground along the highway connecting Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Scorching temperatures and gusts of wind have transformed these fires into one of the worst episodes of the decade, even disturbing the celebrations of the day of independence.
If the situation has improved, the firefighters maintain a reinforced presence on the ground to extinguish the final active homes. Near Latrun, about thirty kilometers from the capital, teams were still busy on Thursday sullen the charred areas, under a sky loaded with smoke. Residents have joined the efforts, improvising watering systems to protect their neighborhoods.
The damage is considerable: nearly 13,000 hectares of vegetation has been reduced to ashes, according to official estimates. The government has deployed military reinforcements, supported by an air fleet, while several European countries have sent additional means to help Israel.
Suspicions of criminal acts hover over this disaster. Several arrests took place, including that of an individual surprised in the act, according to security sources. Despite the criticisms of the preparation of the authorities in the face of this type of crisis, the emergency services ultimately made it possible to avoid the worst, even if some evacuated deplore a late reaction.
With the return to calm, the time is now for the balance sheets and questions about the measures to be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future.
