Israel clears way for crocodiles to stop prison breaks

To quote from a DW news report:

Israel’s environment minister has reclassified crocodiles so that they can now be used for security purposes. Far-right Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir reportedly wants them to surround a jail holding Hamas militants.

The new classification puts the crocodiles in the category of “cultivated wild animal” instead of wild animals. It could allow an approved security organization to keep Nile crocodiles for security purposes, subject to government approval and conditions set by environmental authorities.

One such body is the Israel Prison Service, which answers to Ben-Gvir.

Israeli media reported that Ben-Gvir intends to use crocodiles to guard Ketziot prison in southern Israel, which primarily holds Palestinian security prisoners.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Ben-Gvir wrote: “Are you thinking of attempting to escape? Think again.” He accompanied the post with an AI-generated image of himself with a crocodile on a leash.