Crocodile-filled moats could surround Israeli prisons holding Palestinians: Reports

Israel has taken a legal step towards implementing a proposal by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to surround prisons holding Palestinian detainees with crocodile-filled moats. Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman signed an order reclassifying crocodiles as “managed wild animals,” removing a legal obstacle that previously restricted them to licensed zoos. This change allows government bodies, including the Israel Prison Service, to keep crocodiles under specified conditions. The Israel Prison Service is reportedly examining the project's feasibility, which Ben-Gvir proposed six months ago to deter escape attempts and potentially reduce guarding costs. Approximately 9,500 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons.