Breaking Update
Rare Gray Shark Washes Up on Netanya Beach
Rare gray shark washes ashore on Netanya beach, first sighting in Israel since 2012. Experts confirm deep-sea species up to six meters long.
Jerusalem, 29 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The carcass of a gray shark washed up on a beach near Netanya on Thursday morning, marking the first sighting in Israel since 2012. Hiker Uri Yosef discovered the shark during a morning walk and called the Nature and Parks Authority. By the time inspectors arrived, the shark had been pulled back into the sea, but Yosef managed to take photos, which he shared with the Authority.
Experts from the Israel Shark Association confirmed the shark is a deep-sea species that can grow up to six meters, has six gill slits, and a single dorsal fin near its tail. Gray sharks are rarely seen off Israel’s coast and are not considered at risk.
