An additional 22 teams are on their way to the area.

Rescue workers have rescued nine people from vehicles caught in the heavy smoke. 

Three private vehicles are burning at the scene without any trapped individuals. Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is en route to the area of the fires.    The authority noted that strong winds in the area are contributing to the rapid spread of the fire.   Police forces from the Mateh Yehuda Regional Council station were working to evacuate nearby Neve Shalom.  

Additionally, fires are currently raging in several sites in Ashdod, Masuot Yitzhak, Shafir, and Kfar Warburg.

Route 1 is closed to traffic between Sha'ar Hagai and Anaba, in both directions. Route 3 between Nachshon and Latrun also closed to traffic in both directions.

Route 424 between Hativat Sheva Junction towards Ramle is closed to traffic.

Tow trucks have arrived to Highway 1 and people are being evacuated directly from the scene.

The fire authority spokesperson added that the operations are challenging due to hot weather conditions and shifting winds. 

Magen David Adom additionally stated that it is on high alert. 

Defense Minister Yisrael Katz turned to IDF Chief Eyal Zamir and instructed the IDF to make every effort to assist the firefighting forces. 

"We are in a time of national emergency and all possible forces must be mobilized to save lives and control the fires." National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir instructed the IDF to send helicopters to rescue people from Highway 1. 

He said, "I asked for as many helicopters as possible. There is a section of road that we understand has a problem."

Israel has also turned to neighboring countries, among them Cyprus, Greece, Croatia, and Italy, asking them to send firefighting planes to help extinguish the fires.

Greece and Cyprus are sending at least 10 "supertanker" planes, reports said. Belgium has also promised to send aid.

Most of the efforts are now concentrated on containing the Route 1 fire spreading towards Mevo Horon and Modi'in.

The Binyamin Regional Council has called on residents of Mevo Horon to evacuate their homes towards Modi'in, noting that the road to Latrun is blocked. "Buses from the Council are making their way towards the town to help the residents evacuate," the Council added.

Teams from the Nature and Parks Authority began evacuating hikers from affected areas.

Hikers in these areas and in the Harei Yehuda National Park are asked to exit the area. The Khan Sha'ar Hagai heritage site is also closed to visitors.

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