Large brush fire burns near Mevaseret Zion; police may close Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway

By Charlie Summers

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24 August 2025, 2:48 pm

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A firefighting plane works to extinguish a fire burning near Mevaseret Zion on August 24, 2025. (Screenshot/Fire and Rescue Service)

As a large brush fire burns near Mevaseret Zion in central Israel, police say they are considering closing Route 1, the key highway linking Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Law enforcement officials announce that officers at the scene have started evacuating residents of two streets in Mevaseret Zion, which is located to Jerusalem’s west.

Fire officials say they are also weighing the possibility of evacuating hikers in the area, depending on how the situation develops.