Criticism mounts in Israel over beach safety following deadly shark attack

By Abdel Raouf Arnaout and Mohammad Sio

JERUSALEM / ISTANBUL (AA) - The fatal shark attack on a diver in Hadera, between Tel Aviv and Haifa, has left Israeli experts puzzled and sparked widespread criticism of both authorities and divers who have pursued the oceans' apex predators in the area for years.

On Wednesday, Israeli police confirmed the identity of the diver killed on Monday by a shark off Hadera’s coast in the Haifa region, with local media identifying him as Barak Tzach, a 40-year-old reserve soldier and father of four from Petah Tikva.

The authorities found his remains dozens of meters from the attack site, Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported, while Channel 12 noted his military status.

The non-governmental organization EcoOcean, focused on preservation of the coastal and marine environment, described the incident as “unfortunate” in a Facebook post, noting that the diver, Barak Tzach, “disappeared after he was seen struggling in the water when a shark fin was nearby.”

“He went into the sea to swim with the sharks - a phenomenon that became a well-known ‘attraction’ in the area due to the arrival of sharks in the hot water of the power plant in the mouth of Nahal Hadera. But this time it ended differently,” it added.

Experts lack a definitive explanation for the attack, but some theories have emerged. Itamar Avishay, EcoOcean’s scientific director, suggested that a fish die-off in the area the previous week may have drawn sharks closer to shore.

“Sharks have a strong sense of smell and can detect blood in the water, making them want to feed, though humans are not their prey,” he said.

Hadera’s municipality clarified that the attack occurred in a non-designated swimming area where bathing is legally prohibited. “This beach lacks lifeguards and is not equipped to monitor or protect visitors.”

It announced plans to install additional signs warning that the area is “dangerous and off-limits for swimming, regardless of sharks, which appear seasonally due to the nearby power plant and strong currents.” The public was urged to act responsibly and avoid non-designated beaches, the statement added.

However, Hadas Gann-Perkal, EcoOcean’s environmental management director, argued that the incident could have been prevented with “organized and responsible management” of the area. “Safe and respectful activities alongside nature must be ensured, protecting both sharks and the public,” she said.

The Times of Israel news outlet reported that dusky and sandbar sharks—both endangered species—have been swimming near Hadera’s shores for years, attracted by the power plant’s warm discharge.

A recent die-off of fish in the Hadera and Alexander streams also contributed to an increased shark presence, as the predators fed on the dead and weakfish entering the sea.

Despite repeated warnings, large numbers of Israelis visited the beach during last week’s Passover holiday. According to the news site, some visitors grabbed shark fins or tossed fish to lure the animals closer.

Following the incident, Israeli police and rescue workers launched a search operation along the coast. On Tuesday afternoon, the Fire and Rescue Authority confirmed that the remains had been transferred to the forensic institute for identification.