Israel to breed Nile crocodiles for use in Palestinian prisoner jails

Israel plans to breed Nile crocodiles for use in prisons, a move that has drawn attention from security and environmental officials. Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman recently classified Nile crocodiles as "captive-bred wildlife," paving the way for their potential use in correctional facilities.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right politician, welcomed the decision. He had previously proposed using crocodiles to deter Palestinian prisoners from escaping. Ben-Gvir posted on Facebook, "Dear terrorist, thinking of attempting an escape? Think again," alongside an AI-generated image of him holding a crocodile on a leash. The caption read, "Ministers Ben-Gvir and Silman are cooperating and surrounding the prisons with crocodiles!"

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Dear terrorist, thinking of attempting an escape? Think again.

According to Israel's Channel 13, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority had opposed the plan. However, the new regulation allows Nile crocodiles, previously classified as wild animals, to be bred under specific conditions. These conditions require them to be held by a security entity and meet standards set by the Nature and Parks Authority, with the Environmental Protection Minister deeming their possession necessary for security purposes.

Israeli media reports indicate that Ben-Gvir, an ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, intends to deploy crocodiles around Ketziot Prison in southern Israel. This facility holds many Hamas fighters captured after the October 7, 2023, attacks. The U.S. administration under Donald Trump had previously opened a detention center in Florida in the summer of 2025, located in a swampy area with alligators, which was dubbed "Alcatraz with alligators" before its closure.

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Ministers Ben-Gvir and Silman are cooperating and surrounding the prisons with crocodiles!