Bushfires that erupted near Jerusalem were largely brought under control on Thursday, authorities said. Pics/AFP
The blaze, which ignited along the main Jerusalem–Tel Aviv highway on Wednesday, prompted widespread evacuations and road closures as firefighters battled through the night to contain what officials have called the largest fire in a decade
"The fire is under control," said Shlomi Harush, a senior official with the firefighting service, according to the AFP
"There are only hotspots left... all teams remain deployed across the affected areas," he told AFP, warning that strong winds could still reignite the flames
In Latrun, approximately 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) from Jerusalem, smoke continued to rise near a monastery as firefighters sprayed water on smouldering embers, according to an AFP journalist on the scene
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had warned late Wednesday that the flames could reach Jerusalem, declaring the situation a "national emergency"
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