Israeli firefighting teams have been tackling wildfires near Jerusalem for a second day, with police reporting the reopening of several major roads that had been closed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that 18 people have been detained on suspicion of arson, according to Israel’s Arutz Sheva media outlet.
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- Israel’s fire service says more than 150 firefighting teams are still working to extinguish blazes and 12 aircraft were working to contain the flames.
The fires broke out on Wednesday along the main Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway, prompting police to shut the roads and evacuate thousands of residents from nearby areas.
Rescue agency Magen David Adom said it treated 23 people on Wednesday, mostly for smoke inhalation and burns.
Seventeen firefighters have also been injured, according to Israel’s public broadcaster Kan.
Crews worked through the night, allowing the reopening of main roads, including the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv route, police said.
“All routes have been reopened to traffic,” according to a police statement.