Shark sightings and attacks on Israel's Mediterranean coast, an overview

January 2025: Finless Shark Found Dead in Hadera

A finless shark was discovered dead on a Hadera beach in January 2025. Inspectors from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) collected the carcass for an autopsy to determine the cause of death, which remains undisclosed. The shark’s missing fins raised questions about human activity or natural causes, but no official findings have been reported.

February 2025: Pregnant Shark Washes Ashore at Olga Beach

In February 2025, a pregnant female shark washed ashore at Olga Beach in Hadera. Four fetuses were extracted from her body and placed in a seawater tank, but efforts to save them failed. The cause of her death is unclear. Since December 2024, three sharks, two pregnant, have washed ashore, raising concerns about environmental or human-related factors.

December 2024: Dusky Sharks at Beit Yanai Beach

In December 2024, two dusky sharks were spotted near the shoreline at Beit Yanai beach, north of Netanya. Yehuda Zimbris, a 68-year-old local, witnessed the event while overseeing construction above the beach. “Suddenly, I noticed two shadows in the water,” he told Ynet News. “I started filming them and realized they were sharks. They came within 50 to 100 meters of the shore, which caused panic among most of the swimmers.” Some swimmers ignored lifeguard instructions and approached the sharks, which Zimbris described as performing a “dance” before heading north. Dusky sharks are not typically dangerous to humans.

April 17, 2025: Dusky Sharks Near Swimmers at Beit Yanai

On April 17, 2025, two female dusky sharks were observed 50 meters from swimmers at Beit Yanai beach, per the Daily Mirror. Footage showed the sharks moving calmly near people, some unaware of their presence. The INPA warned against interacting with sharks, noting their protected status and attributing sightings to dead fish and warming Mediterranean waters.

2019: Shark Attack Near Hadera Power Station

In 2019, snorkeler Hanan Shaul, from Safed, was attacked near the Hadera power station. “Suddenly a shark caught my flipper and started thrashing my leg. It was extremely powerful. Thankfully, he only ripped off the flipper,” Shaul told Israel Hayom. The incident occurred in murky waters 30 yards from shore during a dive. Shaul emphasized safety protocols: diving in groups, avoiding murky waters, and staying calm. “This time it ended with a flipper—it could have ended much worse,” he said. The attack took place near the power station’s warm water outflow, which attracts sharks.

April 21, 2025: Fatal Shark Attack at Olga Beach, Hadera

On April 21, 2025, a swimmer was reportedly mauled by a shark off Olga Beach near the Orot Rabin power station, with posts on X claiming the victim is missing and feared dead. Footage showed a shark circling before the attack, with some swimmers attempting to pet it despite warnings. The INPA reiterated, “The Authority reiterates its warning against interacting with sharks and once again calls on the public to avoid approaching them, as they are protected animals.” Magen David Adom reported a man bitten by a shark, and helicopters searched for the missing individual. The beach was closed. These posts remain inconclusive without official confirmation.

Ecological Context

The Orot Rabin power station’s warm water outflow in Hadera attracts dusky and sandbar sharks annually from December to April, a phenomenon studied since 2017. Researchers from the Morris Kahn Marine Research Station call it “a legitimate and rare phenomenon.” In 2019, dozens of sandbar sharks were spotted off Ashdod, reinforcing Israel’s role as a shark haven. Dr. Aviad Sheinin noted, “The phenomenon of dozens of dusky sharks gathering around the hot water near the Hadera power plant is unique in the Mediterranean.” These marine creatures are increasingly becoming endangered by overfishing in the Mediterranean Sea, with many coming closer to shores in search of food or drawn in by nearby dead fish.

Conservation and Safety

Israel’s laws protect sharks, banning fishing, harm, or interaction, with violations risking criminal penalties. The INPA warns against diving near the Hadera power station, where shark encounters are unpredictable. Recent strandings and attacks highlight the need to balance conservation with public safety along Israel’s Mediterranean coast.