The Yom Ha'atzmaut Independence Day holiday drew an estimated quarter of a million people to the sites operated by the Nature and National Parks Authority, as of midday, Thursday.

The Ashkelon, 'Ein-Chemed, Hurshat Tal (Tal Forest), Nachal Senir and Yarkon-Tel Afek nature reserves and parks were closed to further traffic after they reached capacity. Authorities diverted visitors to nearby sites.