YAMAM Counter-Terrorism Officer Identified as Missing Haifa Man

Israeli Police and Border Guard confirmed on Saturday that the body found at Students Beach in Haifa belonged to Sergeant First Class Itay Peretz, a 23-year-old YAMAM (National Counter-Terrorism Unit) officer and Haifa resident. The circumstances surrounding his death are currently under investigation.

Peretz, who is survived by his parents, siblings, and partner, was last seen heading to Students Beach on Thursday afternoon. Contact was lost that evening, prompting extensive search efforts by various forces. His body was discovered shortly before the announcement.

Peretz had a distinguished service record. He initially joined a pilot course in January 2023 before transferring to mandatory Border Guard service in August 2023. Following his combatant training, he completed a specialized course for undercover operatives and was assigned to the observation and drones team within the YAMAM unit. He enlisted for permanent service in the unit in December 2025.

The police detailed the extensive search operation, which utilized drones, a police helicopter, a police boat, sea scooters, jet skis, horses, jeeps, and other resources. The search focused on continuous aerial, coastal, and underwater sweeps, day and night. The operation involved numerous agencies and volunteers, including district police officers, Border Guard fighters, the air unit, marine police, mounted police, K9 units, the Navy's naval commando unit (Yaltam), the Fire and Rescue Services' Lahav unit, police rescue unit volunteers, the Haifa Municipality, Magen David Adom, ZAKA, and many other civilian and volunteer organizations.