Against the backdrop of the security situation and Home Front Command guidelines, the Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael) and the Interior Ministry announced exceptional measures on Wednesday ahead of Passover: all JNF forests, parks and hiking trails will be closed to the public, and the swimming season — which was set to open Wednesday — will not begin, with beaches remaining closed until further notice.
JNF said the closure takes effect immediately and applies to all visitors, including hikers, cyclists and organized groups, until further notice. The decision followed a security assessment and updated Home Front Command directives, aimed at preventing gatherings in open, unprotected areas. JNF stressed that this is an unusual step, especially given that millions of Israelis typically visit forests and parks during Passover.
Impact in the Hadera area on Wednesday; continuous missile fire
JNF Chairman Eyal Ostrinsky said: "In these days, responsibility for the safety of Israel’s citizens is our top priority. The decision to close JNF forests and parks across the country, on the eve of Passover, is complex but necessary to protect human life." He added: "Israel’s forests are a space of freedom and normalcy for the public, but at this time national resilience is measured first and foremost by discipline and mutual responsibility."
Yaron Ohayon, head of operations at JNF, added: "We are in a situation that requires us to take the strictest measures to protect human life. Israel’s forests are a second home for all of us during Passover, but the current security situation does not allow for safe presence there," and called on the public "to act with maximum responsibility, follow Home Front Command guidelines and not visit forests or sites under any circumstances."
In line with Home Front Command directives, the Interior Ministry announced that public beaches will remain closed and the official swimming season — which was scheduled to open Wednesday — will not begin at this stage. The ministry noted that preparations for the season had been fully completed with local authorities and beach managers, including the operation of 160 lifeguard stations, procurement of necessary equipment, professional oversight and the implementation of safety procedures and risk assessments. It added that extensive budgetary assistance, amounting to tens of millions of shekels, had been allocated to local authorities for equipment, maintenance, ongoing operations and development of bathing beaches.
However, the ministry stressed that given the current security situation, directives require beaches to remain closed, and urged the public to avoid them until further notice.
Interior Ministry Director General Israel Ozan said: "The Interior Ministry has completed all preparations required to open the swimming season and has provided local authorities with professional support, budgetary assistance, risk assessment procedures and oversight tools needed to operate beaches safely. However, under the current security circumstances, Home Front Command directives are binding, and beaches will remain closed at this stage to protect human life." He added: "We are prepared to enable beaches to open quickly and efficiently as soon as conditions allow, and we call on the public to act responsibly and follow the guidelines."
Earlier, at the outbreak of the war in late February, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority announced that all its sites and overnight campgrounds were closed to visitors due to the security situation. In a statement issued on Feb. 28, 2026, the authority said that following a change in Home Front Command defense policy, the sites would remain closed and planned activities would not take place