Firefighters battle blazes near Jerusalem

Israeli firefighters continued battling wildfires near Jerusalem for a second day on Monday. Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennet held discussions and instructed officials to consider requesting international aid to extinguish the fire. 

On Sunday, residents of several communities were evacuated from their homes as the fire raged out of control, fueled by winds and extremely dry conditions after a hot summer. The fire sent a plume of thick black smoke over Jerusalem.  The Environmental Protection Ministry warned area residents of very high air pollution and advised against prolonged outdoor activity. Investigators were still working to determine the cause of the fire.