The coastal waters of northern Israel witnessed an unprecedented shark attack on Monday, leading to a search operation for a missing swimmer. The incident took place near Hadera, approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Tel Aviv, and was notably observed by beach-goers on Olga Beach, who captured their shock on social media footage.
Typically, sharks in this region, particularly during this time of year when warm water is released by a nearby power plant, are non-threatening. Since the establishment of Israel in 1948, there have been no recorded fatal shark attacks in its waters. Following the attack, police promptly closed the beach and initiated search efforts for the missing individual.
Eyewitness accounts detail harrowing scenes, with one witness, Eliya Motai, recalling, "I was in the water, I saw blood and there were screams." Motai was just meters from shore and described the moment as "terrifying," noting he had observed sharks circling the area just a day prior.
The species involved in the region tends to include dusky and sanbar sharks, which are drawn to the warm waters from the Orot Rabin power station—the largest in Israel. According to reports, Monday's event now stands as the fourth officially recorded shark attack since the founding of the nation, underscoring the rarity of such occurrences in Israeli waters.
Typically, sharks in this region, particularly during this time of year when warm water is released by a nearby power plant, are non-threatening. Since the establishment of Israel in 1948, there have been no recorded fatal shark attacks in its waters. Following the attack, police promptly closed the beach and initiated search efforts for the missing individual.
Eyewitness accounts detail harrowing scenes, with one witness, Eliya Motai, recalling, "I was in the water, I saw blood and there were screams." Motai was just meters from shore and described the moment as "terrifying," noting he had observed sharks circling the area just a day prior.
The species involved in the region tends to include dusky and sanbar sharks, which are drawn to the warm waters from the Orot Rabin power station—the largest in Israel. According to reports, Monday's event now stands as the fourth officially recorded shark attack since the founding of the nation, underscoring the rarity of such occurrences in Israeli waters.
