Israel Plans to Use Nile Crocodiles to Guard Palestinian Prisoners
Israel is reportedly preparing a controversial measure to enhance security at prisons holding Palestinian detainees. Several media outlets have reported that Israel intends to utilise Nile crocodiles as part of its security system.
The plan emerged after the Israeli government changed the legal status of the Nile crocodile from a wild animal to a ‘tended wild animal’. This reclassification is seen as paving the way for the reptile’s use in broader facilities, including prison complexes.
The idea of using crocodiles was first proposed in late 2025 by Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir. The right-wing politician suggested that prisons be surrounded by moats filled with crocodiles to prevent escape attempts. At the time, the proposal was rejected because the Nile crocodile was still classified as a wild animal that could only be kept in zoos or conservation areas. However, according to Israeli media reports, Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman changed the legal classification of the Nile crocodile this week, removing the primary legal obstacle to implementing the plan.
Legal advisers to the Environmental Protection Ministry have reportedly objected, warning that the minister lacked the authority to unilaterally alter the crocodile’s legal status or to facilitate its use in prisons.
Ben-Gvir reportedly wants the programme to be first implemented at Ketziot Prison, a facility in southern Israel that houses a large number of Palestinian detainees. Following the proposal, the Israel Prison Service (IPS) conducted an internal review. Since January, several prison officers have been sent to the Hamat Gader crocodile farm to study the reptiles’ characteristics. Israeli media outlet Maariv reported that the IPS responded positively to the proposal. Prison authorities are even considering using smaller crocodiles, priced at around US$8,000 each, rather than adult crocodiles which can cost up to US$20,000 each. An IPS source cited by Maariv noted that the cost was relatively small compared to the security investment required for a prison.
No official announcement has been made by the Israeli government regarding when or whether the plan will actually be implemented.