- Israeli campers by the Sea of Galilee were attacked overnight by a pack of jackals, all received hospital treatment.
- A further two attacks occurred the following morning. Several recent rabies cases in the north have also been reported.
Eleven Israeli settlers were attacked by a pack of jackals overnight while camping on Duga Beach on the Sea of Galilee (Lake Tiberias) reports stated on Saturday. The wild animals stormed the shoreline, scratching and biting the settlers as they sat near the water or slept.
Megan David Adom said it dispatched medical teams to the scene after receiving a call at 2:52 am
Those injured included two men in their 30s and a woman in her 40s. They were taken to Tzafon Medical Centre to treat their bite wounds.
Walla news quoted local officials stating that the behaviour of at least one of the jackals was highly unusual. This raised concerns that the animal may have been infected with rabies.
All those injured were taken to hospital for treatment, including vaccinations. They were later released, according to reports.
The Nature and Parks Authority told the Ynet news that it was investigating the incident. It is also examining whether the campers were attacked by stray dogs or jackals.
“It is important to seek medical treatment due to the risk of contracting rabies,” the authority said.
Several cases of rabies-infected animals have been reported in northern Israel in recent months. Environmental and veterinary authorities have launched investigations to determine the cause of the foxes’ unusual aggressive behaviour.
Yelena, who’s daughter Alice was attacked said, “We were all sleeping in the tent, it was night. Suddenly, while we were asleep, my daughter Alice screamed: ‘It hurts! It hurts!’ She was really screaming. I quickly turned on the light, and her whole face was covered in blood. I was terribly scared,” Yelena said.
“I saw the animal that bit her, it was big, just huge,” she said.
Foxes and Jackals are common in several natural areas across Palestine. However, attacks on humans in such large numbers are rare.
Two additional jackal attacks were reported on Sunday morning according to Israeli media.
