(live here) – Three days after the tragic encounter between a man and sharks at the mouth of the Hadera River, which ended in the death of a swimmer who was devoured by a pack of sharks on 21/4/25, the area has been closed to visitors and is under close surveillance by security forces and environmental officials. But the big question remains – is this an unusual event or an ongoing warning sign?
Watch the broadcast from the field – 3 days after the disaster:
Authorities' response: Closing the area and taking deterrent measures
On Thursday morning, 24/4/25, Hadera Beach became a scene of intense work involving jackhammers, screwdrivers, and steel fences. Three fences were erected around the area where the tragedy occurred, along with signs warning the public of the danger in the area.
Authorities are trying to keep the public away from the school of sharks that has been present at the mouth of the Hadera River for a long time. This is a physical but also psychological defense system – a physical and mental barrier between the public and a marine phenomenon that has become dangerous.
Patrols, divers and helicopters: continued searches and surveillance
The deadly incident sparked a rapid chain of responses from various agencies – from the Israel Police to ZAKA forces. Foot patrols, diving teams, ships and a hovering helicopter – are all working to scan the area and ensure that there are no additional casualties. In the area, one can notice a vigilant presence of security forces, who are trying to calm the public on the one hand and prevent similar incidents in the future on the other.
The sharks remain – the available food continues to flow from the stream
The main question that concerns residents and visitors is when the sharks will leave the area. The assessment on the ground is that as long as dead mullet continue to arrive from the stream, the sharks will remain. The school of sharks has not changed its habits from last year, but this year the phenomenon is accompanied by a tragic event that overshadows the danger. Dozens of sharks have been observed in shallow water, attacking dead fish near the shore – a phenomenon that fuels their continued presence in the area.
Trauma in the Public: Memories of "Jaws" and a Real Fear of the Sea
Alongside the harsh sights and shocking descriptions of shark aggression, a wave of fear and aversion to the sea is growing among the public. Young and old alike report a real fear of entering the water – some recall the 1970s film "Jaws," a film that caused enormous damage to the relationship between humans and sharks around the world and legitimized the indiscriminate killing of these fish, which constitute a very important link in the marine ecological chain.
Divers also reported a traumatic reaction, with reports of difficulty diving again following the harsh sights. This is a feeling of insecurity that permeates even those accustomed to Hadera's marine routine.
A historical precedent and an open question: Can the next incident be prevented?
The current event, it seems, was out of the ordinary and reminiscent of incidents from the distant past – the last case in which a person was killed by a shark attack occurred, according to various reports, back at the end of the British Mandate in Israel – 1949.
Now the question remains: Is this a precedent that will change the public and systemic attitude towards the Hadera Stream spill? Or will this too pass by the surface of the water until the next incident? In the meantime, the public is invited to be careful – and nature, as always, continues on its path.
We will continue to observe nature and, of course, be careful and warn the public, who is sometimes unaware of the dangers that the sea holds.
Our Moti
Well done for being ahead of the curve!! You warned!! And you continue to warn the public and keep us all informed. There is no one like you!!
Dear Mot, another excellent article from you! Thank you for the mission you are doing by warning the public about the phenomenon and taking an active part in the issue. Cheers!
All this but a net in the sea to block sharks from reaching the beach like in Eilat. The main thing is not to close beaches.
Would Yahmash's name be a pet lover? A protected snake and a protected shark. There are other protected animals besides humans because humans are living beings.
Yahm, whose name is Hital, loved pets and killed people after torture.
Here too, tradition continues.
Don't kill snakes and sharks.
Those who thought that sharks were cute, vegetarian pets that could be made into a petting zoo in the water = those who thought that wild boars were cute pets that could be made into a feeding zoo in the gardens.
The same delusions, the same lack of understanding of nature and the difference between wild and domesticated animals, the same lack of understanding of the extent of the danger in the disturbance caused by an excess of individuals due to ecological disruption.
Fortunately, in Haifa, they have returned to thinning, and in Hadera they will have to thin or create buffer zones as well.
Hello Yael, I completely agree with you.
An encounter between a wild animal and a human ends in a human.
There were people in the room who fed sharks not out of malice but out of ignorance.
And as unpleasant as it may sound...we need to rethink the conservation of a particular animal because excess and imbalance take their toll on nature itself and on humans.
Why are there mullet carcasses at the mouth of the Hadera Stream?
Hello Sarit, the mullet died due to a lack of oxygen in the water. This is normal there, but this year it is unusual.
You have to respect the sharks' territory, don't take selfies, don't touch them, they're wild animals, not pets, that's my opinion!!!!
Hello Dana.
That's exactly what I always wrote, that it's not a pet, and it doesn't behave aggressively either. It's still a wild animal. And taking a selfie with a shark is completely irresponsible.
Dear Moti, such an important, disturbing and painful article. Thank you, Moti.
Continue to deal with sharks instead of roads.
1 diver in a single case, compared to 150 deaths in traffic accidents since the beginning of the year.
There is no proportion at all in shark discussions instead of discussions about predatory cars!
Eyal,
"Whoever saves one soul in Israel is as if he saved the entire world."
If, following this tragic and unfortunate incident, people learn to respect nature, avoid mistakes, and identify disasters in advance thanks to articles
These are enough!
authorities
Permissions have finally been awakened.
A fascinating animal, I hope they follow the rules and we continue to live in peace side by side.