Body of Missing Yamam Officer Found After Three-Day Search in Haifa

The body of First Sergeant Itai Peretz, 23, a member of the elite Yamam counter-terrorism unit, was discovered on Tuesday in the Students' Beach area of Haifa, concluding a three-day intensive search operation. Peretz, a Haifa resident, was reported missing three days prior, triggering a large-scale search effort involving numerous police units, rescue organizations, and volunteers.

The search encompassed land, sea, and air, with extensive combing of the beach vicinity and surrounding waters. Authorities utilized a wide array of equipment, including drones, a police helicopter, a light aircraft, boats, jet skis, horses, and all-terrain vehicles. Specialized units such as the Border Police, the Air Unit, the Maritime Police, mounted police, K-9 units, and the Navy's Yaltam unit participated, alongside firefighters, police rescue volunteers, the Haifa Municipality, the Rescue Union, emergency teams, ATV volunteers, divers, beach lifeguards, Magen David Adom, the "Yedidim" organization, and ZAKA volunteers.

The search focused on covering vast areas simultaneously by air, land, and sea, adapting to the challenging coastal terrain. The operation continued day and night for three days until Peretz's body was located.

Following the discovery, the police expressed gratitude to all participating forces and volunteers for their efforts. They also extended condolences to Peretz's family.