Rare Shark Attack in Israel: Swimmer Missing Near Hadera

Sat Sep 13 2025 10:14:24 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A man has gone missing following an uncommon shark attack in northern Israel, intensifying concerns over marine safety along the coastline.

On Monday, a swimmer disappeared off Hadera's shore, approximately 40 kilometers north of Tel Aviv. Eyewitness accounts from Olga Beach describe a chaotic scene as onlookers filmed the incident, capturing their shocked reactions on social media. While sharks typically congregate in the area due to warm water discharged by a local power plant, attacks are exceedingly rare; in fact, there have been no recorded fatal shark attacks in Israeli waters since the establishment of the state in 1948. Authorities swiftly closed the beach and initiated a search for the missing individual.

Witness Eliya Motai recounted a harrowing experience, stating, "I was in the water, I saw blood and there were screams." He further noted the presence of sharks circling in the water the previous day. Species like dusky and sanbar sharks are drawn to the area due to the warm waters and nearby fish populations. This incident marks only the fourth documented shark attack in Israel's history, raising questions about marine wildlife behavior in warm water environments.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with marine activities and the unique ecological interactions present along Israel's coastline.