Afghanistan, May 1 -- A massive wildfire broke out near Jerusalem, forcing evacuations. Israel requested international aid as firefighters struggle to control the blaze.

A massive wildfire broke out on Wednesday near Jerusalem, prompting evacuations of several neighborhoods as Israeli authorities appealed to the international community for emergency assistance. The fire quickly spread through forested areas surrounding the capital, triggering alarm among residents and officials.

The blaze erupted near Highway 1, the main route connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, causing scenes of chaos. Videos widely shared on social media showed motorists abandoning their vehicles and fleeing on foot as flames encroached on the roadway. The dense smoke re...