Fires around Jerusalem and West Bank largely contained

Major roads have reopened but firefighting teams are still tackling lingering hotspots

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire burning in the Latrun area of central Israel, between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. EPA

Wildfires that spread around Jerusalem and in areas under Palestinian control in the occupied West Bank have been mostly contained, the Israeli Fire and Rescue Authority said on Friday.

The blazes broke out on Wednesday near the main Jerusalem-Tel Aviv motorway and in some mountain areas in the West Bank, prompting the Israeli police to close roads and evacuate thousands.

More than 160 firefighting ground crews and 12 aircraft were working to contain the wildfires.

Several major roads have reopened after firefighting teams managed to get many of the bushfires under control. Hot and dry conditions with strong winds had posed a serious challenge for firefighters.

There were warnings that the fires could flare up again, as firefighting teams were still tackling lingering hotspots.

At least 12 people have been treated for smoke inhalation, Israel's ambulance service said. Israeli broadcaster Kan said 17 firefighters were injured as they attempted to contain the flames.

"All routes have been reopened to traffic," the Israeli police said in a statement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had declared an emergency in response to the fires, and hundreds of people fled their homes.

Countries including France, Italy and Spain had sent aircraft to assist in the emergency.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the fires were “part of the climate change crisis, which must not be ignored”.

However, the cause of the fires has yet to be determined. Mr Netanyahu blamed it on arson and said 18 people had been arrested in connection with the wildfires, but the police denied the arrests.