The wildfire forced the closure of the main highway linking Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, sending at least dozens of people to hospitals, turning the sky into grey.
Video footage shows vehicles staying nearby as the flames spread throughout the area, while another video shows fires approaching the Catholic monastery.
The fire was being launched by strong winds and hot, dry weather.
The cause is being investigated.
Help was from all over the region, including aircraft from Italy, Croatia and North Macedonia, Israeli officials said.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sarr said his office is also in contact with officials from the UK, France, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Argentina, Spain, North Macedonia and Azerbaijani.
The helicopter had dropped water from above to fight the flames, but other fire teams responded with ATVs.
“We want to reach 150 fire teams,” said Itamar Ben Gwil, Israel’s Minister of National Security.
A fire broke out as Israel observed the anniversary of fallen soldiers and victims of the attack before Independence Day on Thursday.
Many planned events had been cancelled, including the official national ceremony in Jerusalem.
The event was set for Mount Herzl, near the fire zone. Instead, a recording of dress rehearsals was aired.
Those taken for hospital treatment suffered primarily from inhaling smoke, but another 10 people were treated outdoors, Magen Adm Ambulance said.
Residents living near the fire area have been evacuated, police said.
Officials at the Latin patriarchal monastery in Jerusalem said it was too early to assess the damage. The religious community was safely evacuated, they said.
“We pray for everyone’s safety,” their statement said.
As the flames travelled from Tel Aviv towards the Yalsalem highway, many abandoned their cars, fled on foot or boarded them in the opposite direction with other vehicles.
In 2010, it burned on Mount Carmel in northern Israel for four days, claiming 44 lives and destroying approximately 12,000 acres of forest.
