Special Forces Officer Itay Parson Mourned After Drowning Off Haifa Coast

The body of Itay Parson, a 23-year-old special forces officer with the elite Yamam counter-terrorism unit, was recovered on September 12th after a three-day search following his disappearance during a diving excursion off the coast of Haifa. Parson, a Haifa resident, was described by friends as "the most reliable friend in the world," someone who was always ready to help and offer advice. His funeral is scheduled for Monday, September 14th, at the military cemetery in Haifa.

On Sunday, September 13th, dozens of Israelis visited the Parson family home to offer condolences to his parents, Rina and Alex, his siblings, and his girlfriend Nicole. One of his brothers returned home from Thailand upon hearing the news.

Parson had a distinguished service record. He joined the IDF flight course in January 2023, transferred to the Border Police (MAGAV) in August 2023, and subsequently completed a "mistaravim" course, which trains operatives to blend in with Arab populations. He was then assigned to a surveillance and drone unit within Yamam before transitioning to career service in December 2025. Friends revealed that Parson, who enjoyed extreme sports and had previously competed in "Ninja Israel," rarely spoke about his service, and they only learned after his death that he was one of his unit's top operatives.

Parson disappeared on September 10th while kayaking and diving with his uncle about 1.3 kilometers offshore. When he failed to resurface, his uncle alerted authorities, initiating a large-scale search operation. The search involved police, firefighters, volunteers, municipal inspectors, rescue teams, drones, a police helicopter, boats, jet skis, and off-road vehicles. The Israeli Navy, including the naval special forces unit Shayetet 13 and the underwater operations unit Yaltam, joined the effort. Parson's body was found on the seabed on September 12th, approximately 800 meters from the shore.

Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav expressed his sorrow on Facebook, extending condolences from the city to Parson's family and loved ones.