Navy Commandos Join Search for Missing Haifa Freediver

An extensive search is underway for a Haifa resident, approximately 20 years old, who disappeared while freediving in the Mediterranean Sea on Thursday evening, September 10. The alarm was raised by a relative who was kayaking nearby and contacted rescue services. The search is focused on Student Beach in Haifa, where police Inspector General Dani Levy has also arrived. The Israeli Navy has joined the operation, with elite Shayetet 13 naval commandos and Yaltam, a naval unit specializing in underwater operations, participating in the search of the water area. Police issued their first statement about the search shortly after 10 p.m., about an hour after receiving notification of the young man's disappearance. He had reportedly entered the water earlier in the day or evening. The missing individual was engaged in freediving, which involves diving without scuba gear. Police stated that significant forces are involved in the search, including officers from the Carmel district, marine police units, off-road unit volunteers, ZAKA volunteers, and the Fire Department's "Lehava" special unit. A police aviation unit helicopter and drones are surveying the area from the air, while boats and jet skis are searching at sea. Simultaneously, a large-scale operation is underway along the coastline, with police foot patrols, motorcyclists, and mounted police searching the shore. The search continues both at sea and on land.