Israel Sizzles Under Relentless Heatwave
The heatwave, which follows a record-breaking May 2025 surge that saw Eilat reach 46.5°C (115°F), has already strained infrastructure, with power demands soaring 10% due to air conditioning needs, per *The Jerusalem Post*.
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Israel is enduring an unrelenting heatwave, with temperatures spiking to 44°C (111°F) in the Arava Desert and 42°C (108°F) in the Beit She’an Valley, as reported by *ILTVNews* on X.
The Israel Meteorological Service (IMS) warns that the “severe to extreme” heat, driven by dry sharav conditions, is expected to persist through Sunday, July 27, 2025, posing significant risks of wildfires and health issues.
The Health Ministry has issued urgent guidelines, urging the public—especially the elderly and chronically ill—to avoid sun exposure, stay hydrated, and remain in air-conditioned spaces. Outdoor workers are under strict safety protocols, with temperatures in Jerusalem hitting 34.2°C (93.6°F) and coastal areas slightly cooler at 30°C (86°F), per *JNS.org*.
Fire risks are critical, with a nationwide ban on open fires extended after Lag B’Omer bonfires sparked blazes near Jerusalem in May. The IMS notes this as part of a broader climate trend, with Israel’s 2024-2025 Hebrew year being the hottest in 75 years, surpassing 2009-2010 records. By 2100, peak temperatures could hit 49.4°C (121°F) in Tel Aviv and 55.3°C (131.5°F) in Eilat, with heatwaves projected to occur seven times more frequently, causing up to 330 deaths per summer.