Route 98 shut down as wildfire spreads near Dead Sea

Route 98 has been closed in both directions following a wildfire that broke out in the area between Gdor and Mevo’a Hama on Wednesday. The closure is expected to remain in place whilst emergency services work to contain the blaze. Firefighting crews, Israel’s Nature and Parks Authority and security forces are all on site responding to the incident. The exact cause of the fire has not yet been established. Route 98 is a major north-south thoroughfare in the southern Dead Sea region, connecting communities in the area and serving as an important transport link between the Arava Valley and other parts of southern Israel.

Source: Walla News — Original article in Hebrew.