Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that rapid spread of wildfires near Jerusalem could reach the city as he declared the situation a "national emergency."

On Wednesday, firefighters rushed to control wildfires that injured several people and prompted the army to deploy troops to help, and thick smoke poured over the highway near Jerusalem on Wednesday.

Israel's Margson David Adom (MDA) Rescue Agency reported hundreds of civilians were threatened by the worst fires in years.

The MDA said it provided treatment for about 23 people, 13 of whom were taken to hospital, most of whom suffered from inhalation and burns. It added that there were two pregnant women and two babies under one year old.

It said the alert level has been raised to the highest level.

"It's really sad because we know the weather, we know it will happen, and we still feel that they are not ready enough to drip a lot of water."

Netanyahu warned: “The west wind can easily push fire to the outskirts of (Jerusalem) and even to the city itself.

"We need as many fire engines as possible and create a fireplace burst outside the current line of fire ... We are in a national emergency now, not just a local emergency," he said in a video statement Wednesday, adding: "The priority now is to defend Jerusalem."

Police closed the Aviv Expressway in Jerusalem (Jerusalem Thailand) and evacuated residents along the route, and ships broke out again a week ago in an area hit by fire a week ago. A community of thousands of people has been cleared.

"A lot of police arrived, a lot of firefighters, but that didn't really help. The fire has completely occupied the entire area," student Yosef Aaron told AFP, on the side of the highway, flames could be seen in the distance.

Fire Chief Eyal Caspi warned at a television press conference: "Due to weather conditions, our planes can't do anything now... Our goal is to save lives".

“We obviously face the biggest fire in Israel in a decade.”

Police said on X that they had taken effect on the Aviv Expressway in Jerusalem-Tel and around the Jerusalem hills, requiring the public to "avoid going to the area."

Earlier on Wednesday, an AFP reporter at the scene said the fire swept through the forest area near the main road between Latrun and Bet Shemesh and helicopters are working to put out the flames.

Soldiers arrived at the scene in the afternoon, and many drivers gave up their vehicles and fled the fire.

Israeli media reported that a community located about 30 kilometers (19 miles) west of Jerusalem was evacuated, and Israeli media reported that images of fire brigades fighting fierce flames were broadcast.

National Security Minister Itama Ben Gvir hinted that the arson could be a laggard in the fire. Police said they arrested a resident of East Jerusalem, who was arrested "attempted to set fire to a field in the south of the city."

There is no official statement directly contacting both.

The ambulance team has been positioned near the community close to the fire and is ready to provide medical care and assist residents, MDA said.

Police said in a statement that high temperatures and strong winds caused the fires to spread rapidly in the forest area, prompting at least five communities to evacuate.

Ben GVIR, who oversees Israel’s fire department, visited the affected areas, which are prone to wildfires this time of year.

He said in a video statement that work is being completed to provide more assistance to affected areas and to evacuate stranded civilians.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has contacted nearby countries such as Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Italy and Bulgaria for assistance.

Netanyahu's office said three planes will arrive from Italy and Croatia soon to help put out the fire.