Bedouin man visits teen who saved him from drowning at Ashdod beach

A Bedouin resident who was rescued from drowning at an Ashdod beach came to the Deri family home on Saturday, right after being discharged from Assuta Hospital, to thank his rescuer, 18-year-old Yonatan Deri. The emotional meeting took place two days after the incident, when Khalil was pulled from the water in serious condition and later recovered enough to return home.

According to the account, Deri had come to the beach to pick up his sister when he noticed Khalil struggling far from shore and being dragged by strong currents. Realizing the swimmer was in immediate danger, Deri took a surfboard that had been bought for his sister only days earlier, entered the rough sea, reached Khalil at the last moment, stabilized him on the board, and kept his head above water.

While carrying out the rescue, Deri called his father, Rabbi Avi Deri. At the time, Avi Deri, who is the commander of ZAKA’s Lachish district, was in a working meeting in Ashdod with local police commanders. After hearing his son’s report, he cut short the discussion and immediately sent emergency and rescue teams to the shoreline.

Medical crews at the scene provided first aid and evacuated Khalil in serious condition to Assuta Hospital in Ashdod. After his condition improved, he asked to visit the Deri family to express his gratitude for what saved his life. Yonatan Deri said, “The moment I saw Khalil in distress, I understood I had to act fast.” He added that he ran, grabbed the board and entered the water, thanking God that they reached him in time. Avi Deri said that seeing Khalil arrive healthy and whole to say thank you was “a very moving moment” that showed “how saving lives is the greatest merit there is.”