Health Ministry Closes Haifa Beaches Over Contaminated Seawater Samples
The Israeli Health Ministry has closed all beaches in Haifa to swimming after detecting contaminated seawater, affecting thousands of residents.
Content type: Breaking NewsSource: TPS
Jerusalem, 24 August, 2026 (TPS-IL) — At the height of summer and a heat wave, the Health Ministry announced Monday the closure of all beaches in Haifa to swimming after abnormal seawater quality test results.
Hundreds of thousands of northern residents hoping to cool off in the Mediterranean along Haifa’s coastline are unable to do so until further notice.
The Health Ministry is continuing to monitor the water quality.
Swimming is permitted only at officially designated beaches. Residents of the area were encouraged to cool off at the many natural springs around Haifa, the Carmel, and Ramat Menashe.