Marshes in Israel: About the dangers that almost no one knows about

Swamps are something we usually associate with the Amazon, Morecambe Bay in England, or dense mangrove forests. But in recent years, during my fieldwork, I have discovered that even in our small country, there are dangerous swamps hidden away, not the kind that appear in horror movies, but definitely ones that endanger human lives. Most of the public is completely unaware of their existence, and some are so remote and dangerous that there is no way to make them accessible to the public. This is a journey through the places that you can't go wrong with, between rare natural phenomena, and between dangers that are hidden right under your feet.

Swamps in Israel? Yes — but not in the way you thought

Many people find it hard to believe that there are real swamps in Israel. These are not huge swamps like in the Amazon, but there are definitely areas where the ground can sink under the feet of travelers. Most of these places are not known to the public, some are completely closed, and some are simply in wild and dangerous terrain that cannot be reached by car and sometimes not even on foot.

Some may ask: Why aren't they warning? Where is it? The answer is complex. In places where there is a risk of drowning for tourists, this is indicated. But in the truly dangerous areas, there is no point in putting up signs. They are closed to visitors, access to them is difficult and dangerous, and there is no reason for tourists to go there. Even professionals go there only with teams and rescue equipment, in case something goes wrong.

Winter puddles, promised in the Sea of ​​Galilee — and the dangers beneath the surface

In general, in any winter puddle there is a risk of drowning or subsidence, depending on the type of soil and the topographic structure. Also in the area of ​​​​the Kinneret, areas prone to subsidence were discovered, along with the risk of drying out in the hot summer. These are areas that seem innocent, but can be very dangerous.

The Dead Sea: The lowest place in the world, and the most dangerous swamps in the country

During thirty years of working in the Dead Sea sinkholes, I have come across a few areas where there are particularly dangerous swamps. Access to them is only possible by sea, and that is a good thing. These swamps have such high liquefaction that jumping by the crew near them caused vibrations, the mud is so thin that it was five meters deep… measured.

The sight was intimidating even for teams from abroad, people accustomed to researching wetlands around the world. They admitted that it was one of the most dangerous places they had seen, but also one of the most impressive.

And sometimes danger is right next door.

In 2016, following the retreat of beaches in the Krayot area, massive sand loading began. Ships pumped sand and pumped it onto the beach using giant sprayers. The mixture of sand and water created a dangerous runoff, and authorities closed the beach for fear of people drowning. Guards were posted around the clock to prevent a disaster.

Only after about a week, when the ground solidified, did the beach reopen. It was a vivid example of the liquefaction phenomenon, right here, near the house.

And what is happening in the world?

Mangrove swamps around the world are full of dangerous sinkholes. Professional guides accompany tourists to such places, but a solo trip deep into the thicket can be deadly. Morecambe Bay in England is a notorious example, where in 1984 oyster collectors from a Chinese community disappeared after sinking into quicksand.

In conclusion: know, stay informed — and don't enter dangerous territory.

My message is simple: It's always a good idea to check the weather before heading out into the field. Don't go into dangerous places. Don't go near areas marked as a danger of drowning. And don't seek adventure in places not intended for travelers.

Nature is beautiful and fascinating — but it can also be dangerous.