Nightmare on the Sea of Galilee: 11 Campers Attacked by Jackals as Rabies Fears Grow

A family camping trip on the Sea of Galilee turned into a terrifying overnight emergency after jackals attacked campers near Duga Beach, injuring 11 people, including three minors.

The campers were sleeping in rented glamping tents when the animals entered the area and began biting and scratching people. One of the most seriously shaken victims was 12-year-old Alice, who was bitten in the face. Her family said they woke to her screams and turned on the light to find her face covered in blood.

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Magen David Adom teams were called to the scene, and several of the injured were evacuated to Tzafon Medical Center near Tiberias. All were treated, given the required vaccinations, and released, according to Israeli reports. The injuries were described as light, but the emotional shock was far more severe for the families who had come for a quiet night by the lake.

Authorities are treating the incident as a possible rabies exposure. The suspected animal had not been captured in the latest reports, and officials urged anyone who was bitten, scratched, or came into contact with a wild animal in the area to seek medical care immediately.

The Kinneret Cities Association said the jackals may have been drawn toward the tents by accessible food, a growing problem at outdoor sites where wildlife learns to associate humans with leftovers and trash. Officials are now calling for stronger nighttime enforcement and action to reduce the jackal population around the beaches during the busy summer season.