Officials say the deaths cut species' numbers in the area by half, amid painstaking conservation efforts

In one green area in the center of the country, staff members need at least 8 garbage trucks to clean up after Independence Day

Nature reserves from north to south fill up with hikers; beaches at Sea of Galilee and Mediterranean coast packed as Israelis enjoy the fine weather

Nature reserves from north to south fill up with hikers, Sea of Galilee beaches packed as Israelis enjoy the fine weather