Elite Counter-Terrorism Officer Found Dead After Disappearing at Haifa Beach

Sergeant Major Itay Parson, a fighter with the elite Yamam counter-terrorism unit, was found dead on a beach in Haifa on Saturday, September 26, 2026, after a nearly three-day search. Parson, 23, had gone to the Students Beach on Thursday afternoon and lost contact with his family. The circumstances surrounding his death are currently under investigation.

Parson, a resident of Haifa, had recently enlisted in permanent service with the Yamam in December 2025. He is survived by his parents, two brothers, two sisters, and his partner. The extensive search effort involved police, Border Police, volunteers, drones, a police helicopter, boats, jet skis, horses, and jeeps, operating day and night along the coast and in the water.

During the search, the Inspector General of the Police, Commissioner Danny Levi, and the Commander of the Coastal District, Commissioner Yehiel Bohdana, visited the scene to assess the situation. The Haifa Mayor, Yona Yahav, expressed his sorrow on Facebook, stating, "The heart breaks upon receiving the difficult news of the death of Itay Parson, a son of Haifa, a Yamam fighter." He thanked the city's teams who participated in the search and offered condolences to Parson's family.