Some 75 firefighting crews and 10 planes were battling the blaze near Jerusalem on Monday, according to Israel’s Fire and Rescue Authority. The fire broke out a day earlier and has still not been brought under control, burning at least 4,200 acres (17,000 hectares) of land.
Footage from the scene shows intense flames raging alongside roads, with motorists having to drive through infernos.
Small cropduster-style aircraft were seen dumping bright purple fire retardant compounds on the hills around Jerusalem in a bid to stop the fires.
Several communities in the area have been evacuated, including homes in Givat Yearim village, located west of Jerusalem. Imagery from the scene shows that some buildings inside the settlement have already been affected by the blaze.