Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Friday, April 18, 2025
From the Liveblog of
Friday, April 18, 2025
Jerusalem hills blaze sparked by fragments of interceptor missile, police say
Smoke billows from a fire in the Jerusalem Hills, near the city of Beit Shemesh, apparently as a result of interceptor shrapnel following a missile attack by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, April 18, 2025. (Israel Police)
A fire that broke out earlier this morning in the Jerusalem hills was caused by shrapnel from an interceptor missile that downed a ballistic missile from Yemen, the Israel Police says.
The fire broke out near the Stalactite Cave Nature Reserve, close to Bet Shemesh, prompting the Nature and Parks Authority to evacuate the site.
Police sappers were called to the scene once it was determined that the blaze had been caused by shrapnel, the statement says, adding that the cause was only determined once the fire was extinguished.
The Stalactite Cave has since reopened to visitors.
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