Jackals Attack Swimmers at Sea of Galilee Beach: 11 Hospitalized 

An alarming wildlife incident unfolded at the Sea of Galilee in recent hours when a pack of jackals attacked swimmers at a popular beach, leaving eleven people injured and raising urgent questions about wildlife management in the region. The victims, including three minors, were evacuated to Poriya Medical Center in Tiberias for emergency treatment following the aggressive encounter.

According to sources familiar with the incident, the jackals were apparently drawn to the beach area by the scent of accessible food left in tents and picnic areas. The animals began searching for the food source, and in the ensuing panic among beachgoers, multiple people sustained scratches and bites. Rangers and police officers responded to the scene and successfully drove the jackals away from the beach areas.

Medical staff at Poriya Medical Center confirmed that all eleven patients arrived in recent hours suffering from jackal bites. Each victim received comprehensive medical treatment including wound disinfection, rabies vaccinations, tetanus shots, and additional preventive care as required. Ten patients were treated and released to their homes, while one female patient who arrived later from a different beach location remained under medical observation.

Dr. Noa Shaham Hadari, director of the emergency department at Poriya Medical Center, issued an urgent public warning following the incident. "In any case of a bite, scratch, or close contact with a wild animal, it is essential to seek medical treatment and vaccination immediately without delay," she stated. "Beyond immediate treatment, I call on the public to exercise extreme caution."

Dr. Shaham Hadari emphasized critical preventive measures: "It is necessary to avoid any contact with stray or wild animals, to keep them away from residential areas and places where children are present, and to ensure that domestic pets are vaccinated according to the law. Vigilance and prevention are our best tools for maintaining public health."

Yossi Naveh, chairman of the Kinneret Regional Council, expressed grave concern over the incident and demanded immediate action from responsible authorities. "We view this case with worry and severity, and we demand that the Nature and Parks Authority and the veterinary services responsible for this area act with the necessary urgency to thin the jackal population in the region, and to deploy inspectors during nighttime hours throughout the summer season to prevent this situation from recurring," Naveh declared.

"We regret the experience that the vacationers went through and hope that this incident will not repeat itself," he added. "We will continue to work on eradicating this phenomenon."

The Poriya Medical Center confirmed that all injured patients are in stable condition. Medical teams continue monitoring the one patient who remained under observation, with doctors reporting that the comprehensive treatment protocol included thorough wound care, rabies prevention, tetanus immunization, and additional preventive measures tailored to each case.

Authorities are now reviewing wildlife management protocols in the Kinneret region, with particular focus on nighttime patrols during the peak summer vacation season when beaches see maximum public use.