Israel advances crocodile plan to stop Palestinian prisoners escaping

Israel's Environment Minister, Idit Silman, has reclassified Nile crocodiles as a "specially managed wild animal," removing their protected status. This decision, made on Wednesday, allows security forces to keep crocodiles under specific conditions, despite opposition from the Environment Ministry's legal adviser and environmental groups. The move paves the way for National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's proposal to build a detention facility for Palestinians surrounded by the reptiles, a concept he says was inspired by Florida's "Alligator Alcatraz."

The IPS does not appear to have expertise in raising dangerous wild animals such as crocodiles,

wrote legal adviser Neta Drori, who argued the plan lacked a sufficient legal and professional basis. Environmental organizations also "strongly object to the use of animals as a means of guarding and deterrence," citing concerns for animal welfare and the proposal's effectiveness.