Tel Aviv, April 24 -- After nearly 20 hours of intense firefighting, Israeli emergency crews have brought a major blaze in the Jerusalem Hills and Beit Shemesh area under control, Fire and Rescue Commissioner Eyal Caspi confirmed on Thursday morning.

"The incident is under control. I toured the area and was in all sectors. The incident will end in the coming hours," Caspi said.

Since the fire broke out early Wednesday afternoon, over 10,000 dunams (10 sq km) of forest have been scorched across rugged terrain, threatening multiple communities. However, no civilian injuries have been reported, and only minor damage to property occurred. Two firefighters and a Border Police officer were hospitalized for smoke inhalation, but all are in sta...