Jerusalem: Israeli firefighters continue to battle raging wildfires for a second day Thursday amid appeals for countries to help in containing the blazes. Jerusalem District Fire and Rescue Commander Shmulik Friedman said efforts to contain the fires may last until at least Saturday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the wildfires have destroyed 20,000 dunams (5,000 acres) of forests in central Israel, as reported by public broadcaster KAN. The Israeli Fire and Rescue Service stated that at least 17 firefighters were reported injured, with two transferred to a hospital for further medical treatment.

The fire service added that 155 firefighting teams, backed by planes, are still involved in efforts to extinguish the fires that have been raging and expanding since Wednesday. "At this time, we have not yet managed to control the fires," the agency said.

Residents have been warned against entering forests and parks due to the risk of reignition. Areas such as Canada-Ayalon Park, Eshta'ol Forest, Ben Shemen, Kula Forest, and several recreational areas have been declared "strictly forbidden."

The fires have led to the evacuation of seven towns in central Israel, with thousands of residents displaced. The wildfires, which raged between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, caused dozens of cars to become trapped, forcing drivers to walk across roads to escape the flames.

Israel has requested international assistance to help extinguish the fires, and according to media reports, France, Romania, Croatia, Italy, Spain, and Ukraine will send planes to participate in firefighting efforts.