IDF Commando's Body Found After Free Diving Accident in Haifa

The body of Staff Sergeant Major Itay Peretzon, a 23-year-old commando with the elite Yamam counter-terrorism unit, was recovered on Saturday from the Students' Beach in Haifa, three days after he went missing. Peretzon, a resident of Haifa, entered the water on Thursday afternoon for a free diving session while a family member remained on a kayak. When he did not resurface for an extended period, rescue forces were alerted. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.

Peretzon had a distinguished military career, initially enlisting in a pilot's course in January 2023 before transferring to mandatory service in the Border Police in August 2023. Following his combat training, he specialized in the undercover "Mista'arvim" course and was subsequently assigned to the observation and drones team within the Yamam unit. He enlisted for permanent service in the unit in December.

He is survived by his parents, two brothers, two sisters, and a partner. The extensive search and rescue operation involved drones, a police helicopter, boats, jet skis, horses, and jeeps, with continuous day and night searches conducted from the air, along the coastline, and in the water.

This incident follows a separate drowning case in late August, where a seven-year-old boy who disappeared while swimming in an artificial lake in Tel Aviv's "Drom" Park was found and pronounced dead at Ichilov Hospital after resuscitation efforts failed.