**Authorities investigate a scarce but alarming shark attack near Hadera, marking a rare incident in Israeli waters.**
**Rare Shark Attack Leaves Swimmer Missing in Israel**
**Rare Shark Attack Leaves Swimmer Missing in Israel**
**Tragic event shocks onlookers as search operations continue for the missing man.**
A swimmer is currently unaccounted for after an extremely rare shark attack that unfolded off the coast of Hadera, located roughly 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Tel Aviv, on Monday. Witnesses on Olga Beach captured the shocking event on video, with bystanders expressing disbelief and terror as they realized the severity of the situation.
Historically, shark attacks in Israel are incredibly rare, with no recorded fatalities since the country’s establishment in 1948. The police have subsequently closed the beach to the public, launching an extensive search effort for the missing man, sparking widespread concern in the community.
Footage shared on social media provides frightening glimpses of the incident; it shows a man flailing in the water a couple of hundred feet offshore, as beachgoers yell warnings he is under attack. Witness Eliya Motai recounted the harrowing experience to Ynet news: “I was in the water, I saw blood and there were screams... It’s terrifying. We were here yesterday and saw the sharks circling us.”
The area is known to attract dusky and sanbar sharks due to the warm water released by a nearby power station that helps sustain a diverse marine ecosystem. This incident marks the fourth documented shark attack in Israel's history, which raises questions about the safety in waters commonly frequented by swimmers. Local authorities continue their search efforts while urging precautions among beachgoers.
