Israel on alert as locusts hit neighboring Egypt

Middle East

Israel on alert as locusts hit neighboring Egypt

March 04, 2013 01:23 PM

By Ian Deitch

An Egyptian watch tower is seen close to the construction site of a fence on the border between Israel and Egypt along Israel's Highway 12, a desert road north of the Red Sea resort of Eilat, February 15, 2012. (REUTERS/Baz Ratner)

JERUSALEM: Israel is on a locust alert as swarms of the destructive bugs descend on neighboring Egypt ahead of the Passover holiday.

Israel's Agriculture Ministry set up an emergency hotline Monday and is asking Israelis to be vigilant in reporting locust sightings to prevent an outbreak.

Locusts have a devastating effect on agriculture by quickly stripping crops.

Swarms of locusts have descended on Egypt, raising fears they could spread to Israel.

The locust alert comes ahead of the Passover festival, which recounts the biblical story of the Jewish exodus from Egypt. According to the Bible, a plague of locusts was one of 10 plagues God imposed on Egyptians for enslaving and abusing ancient Hebrews.

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Story Summary

Israel is on a locust alert as swarms of the destructive bugs descend on neighboring Egypt ahead of the Passover holiday.

Swarms of locusts have descended on Egypt, raising fears they could spread to Israel.

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