Jackal attack reports at Sea of Galilee beach follow prior mauling of nine

At least two jackal attack attempts were reported Saturday night at Doga Beach on the Sea of Galilee, about a day after a separate incident in which nine people were hurt. No one was injured in the latest episode, but the animals approached visitors and bared their teeth. Inspectors from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority were called to the scene.

The new incident came roughly 24 hours after a more serious nighttime attack at a nearby beach, where nine people were injured by jackals. Seven of the wounded were evacuated to the North Medical Center, Poriya, with bite marks.

One of the victims' mothers told N12, “We were all sitting outside and suddenly, without warning, the jackal came at her. We don’t understand at all how it happened.” She added, “I heard her screaming in pain. I ran right over to see what happened, and I saw her face covered in blood. It was simply terrible.”

The attacks come amid a worrying series of Health Ministry reports since the start of 2026 showing a broad spread of rabies in northern Israel. At least 16 cases of rabid animals have been documented this year. Rabid jackals were identified near Sea of Galilee and Jordan Valley communities including Degania Bet, Ashdot Ya'akov Meuhad, and Menahamiya, as well as in Arbel, Rosh Pina, Kadita, Ein Dor, agricultural areas in the Upper Galilee near Ghajar, Neot Mordechai and She'ar Yashuv, and in Emek HaMaayanot communities such as Neve Ur, Sde Eliahu and Yad Hanna. The Health Ministry says anyone bitten or scratched by an animal should immediately wash the wound with soap and water and urgently seek preventive treatment at the nearest health office.