A moat meant to hold crocodiles is already being dug at Ketziot Prison as part of a campaign spearheaded by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to introduce the deadly reptile into holding facilities for Palestinian prisoners, according to a Wednesday report.

The Ynet news site, citing Ben Gvir’s ministry and local officials, said the physical preparations began Wednesday inside the southern facility, which holds detained Hamas terrorists and other Palestinian security prisoners.

“Digging [for] the crocodile moat is underway inside the prison, around one of their special wings,” a source in the Ramat Hanegev Regional Council, which has jurisdiction over the prison, told the outlet.

“It’s a moat about 170 meters [560 feet] long, and you can’t see it from outside the prison. No one knows if there will indeed be crocodiles there, but preparations are being made,” the source continued.

Ben Gvir’s office confirmed to the outlet that digging for the moat had started within the jail.

“Whoever thought this was a gimmick was mistaken,” it said.

“The Prison Service is all set. The plan exists in the finest detail, from the maintenance and care of the crocodiles to the crocodiles’ resting cells,” the far-right minister’s office added.

According to the statement, the National Security Ministry has budgeted NIS 21 million ($7 million) for the construction of the........

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