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Jordan River

Rescuers search for Elhanan Karni, 12, after he fell into the Jordan River in northern Israel, August 9, 2026. He was later found and pronounced dead at the scene. (Israel Fire and Rescue Service)
August 9, 2026, 9:01 pm
12-year-old boy drowns in Jordan River after falling from raft
Child goes missing during family trip, is declared dead following hour-long search; elsewhere in north, 16-year-old boy dies in rappelling accident
By ToI Staff
From L to R: Iman Khair and Hala Azzam, 13, in an undated photo published after they drowned in the Jordan River in northern Israel on June 28, 2026. (Social media, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
June 27, 2026, 10:44 pm
Two 13-year-old girls found dead after being swept away by Jordan River
Hala Azzam and Iman Khair reportedly entered water in Galilee recreation area without adults present; intensive hours-long search included helicopter, elite rescue unit
By ToI Staff
A new wooden deck at the Qasr al-Yahud baptism site on the banks of the Jordan River, in the West Bank. (Shay Isaacs/Israel Nature and Parks Authority)
February 10, 2026, 8:29 pm
Qasr al-Yahud baptismal site reopens after NIS 25 million facelift
New-look Christan holy site in West Bank includes wide wooden deck for safe access to water, new shower and changing facility, a prayer pergola, and landscaping
By Sue Surkes
An El Al plane parked at Ben Gurion Airport, May 7, 2025. (Nati Shohat/Flash90)
June 15, 2025, 3:03 pm
Stranded Israelis told not to go to Larnaca, Athens; not to use Egypt, Jordan land crossings
With airspace closed amid conflict with Iran, authorities say it will take weeks before the tens of thousands of Israelis stuck abroad will get home; El Al works on rescue flight plan
By Sharon Wrobel
Jerusalemite Akiva Cohen harasses and threatens an Arab family picnicking on Jordan River, in video captured May 3, 2025. (Screenshot via X, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
May 19, 2025, 9:43 pm
Jerusalemite indicted for racist attack on Arab family picnicking by Jordan River
State prosecutors indict Akiva Cohen, 20, alleging he and friend harassed Arab family while armed with M16 and pistol, physically attacked one picnicker, knocking him out
By Charlie Summers
Small bridges connect a bank of the Jordan River to an island as part of an upgrade being carried out by the Kinneret Drainage and Streams Authority between the Alumot Dam and Menahhemia in northern Israel. (Courtesy, Kinneret Drainage and Streams Authority)
March 11, 2023, 2:08 am
Quietly, a stretch of the Jordan River is being cleaned up and transformed
Earthworks and landscaping are aimed at attracting visitors, tourists, with plans to make water safe for swimming; the cleanup will still leave Jordan, Palestinians high and dry
By Sue Surkes
Settlers protest for the return to the Evyatar outspot, near the West Bank city of Nablus, on February 18, 2022 (Photo by Sraya Diamant/Flash90)
February 28, 2023, 12:56 pm
Daily Briefing Feb. 28: Outpost sees return of settlers after terror attack
Legal affairs reporter Jeremy Sharon updates us on Evyatar outpost and judicial reform as environmental reporter Sue Surkes looks at Jordan River rehabilitation
By ToI Staff
A man floats on the Dead Sea, on January 23, 2023. (Roni Ofer/Flash90)
February 20, 2023, 6:58 pm
Environmental groups to press for rehabilitation of Jordan River, Dead Sea
Coalition will monitor Dead Sea mining franchise renewal, push government to release more water into Jordan River from Sea of Galilee
By Sue Surkes
Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian youth call for Jordan River rehabilitation, as part of joint activities organized by the not-for-profit EcoPeace organization. (Courtesy, EcoPeace)
November 17, 2022, 3:09 pm
Israel and Jordan pen agreement to clean up Jordan River
Countries pledge to reduce pollution by treating wastewater, connecting towns to sewage infrastructure, rehabilitating ecology, and creating tourism sites and jobs
By Sue Surkes
Members of the Eritrean and Ethiopian Christian Orthodox community from Tel Aviv participate in a baptismal ceremony in the waters of the Jordan River as part of the Orthodox Feast of the Epiphany at the Qasr al-Yahud baptismal site, near the West Bank town of Jericho January 19, 2018. (Oded Balilty/AP)
August 18, 2022, 11:10 am
Regional complications leave Jordan River rich in holiness, but poor in water
Efforts to rehabilitate valley conduit stymied as conservationists seek to reverse damage from years of conflict, resource abuse and pollution
By MARIAM FAM
In this Friday, Dec. 8, 2017 photo, an aerial view shows the Jordan River estuary of the Sea of Galilee near the community settlement of Karkom, northern Israel. .(AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
July 26, 2022, 8:27 am
Government inks plan to clean part of Jordan River, make it fit for swimming again
Greenlit by Water Authority last year, program will end pollution, channel more freshwater into stretch of iconic river south of Sea of Galilee
By Sue Surkes
Illustrative: A military helicopter holding a 669 Search & Rescue crewman and a stranded hiker over a flooded riverbed in southern Israel, November 9, 2018. (Courtesy: IDF)
June 18, 2022, 4:11 pm
Elderly man drowns in Jordan River; woman rescued after falling into Banias Stream
Three others hurt on Haifa, Ashkelon and Tel Aviv beaches, latest in series of water-related accidents; on Friday, a 15-year-old died in hospital after drowning in the Jordan River
By ToI Staff
Issa Anis Kassissieh, the official Ambassador of the Holy Land Santa, kayaks in the Jordan River in the Golan Heights as part of his Christmas 2021 greeting. (Courtesy: Omri Masika and Roi Peretz)
November 11, 2021, 2:14 pm
Israel’s Santa sends season’s greetings from the Golan Heights
Jerusalem’s Old City Santa, Issa Anis Kassissieh, takes a kayaking trip on the River Jordan, tree and presents in tow
By Jessica Steinberg
Rasha Muklasha, who was allegedly murdered by her son Muad Hib on August 5, 2021 (Israel Police)
September 27, 2021, 1:36 pm
Man charged with murdering his mother because she converted to Christianity
Indictment says 27-year-old Muad Hib from Zarzir hid 46-year-old Rasha Muklasha’s corpse near the Jordan River last month
By ToI Staff
Police forces at the scene of the alleged murder of a 46-year-old woman from Nof Hagalil, near the Yarden Haharari section of the Jordan River, on August 7, 2021. (Israel Police)
September 26, 2021, 7:55 pm
Son to be charged with murdering mother, hiding her body under sand and leaves
Police allege 27-year-old Muad Hib from Zarzir hid 46-year-old Rasha Muklasha’s corpse near the Jordan River last month
By Emanuel Fabian
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