Infant Dies in Ashkelon; Family Avoids Autopsy Delay

A three-month-old infant in Ashkelon was found unresponsive at her home on Thursday morning after failing to wake from sleep. Emergency services were called and performed extensive resuscitation efforts at the scene before transporting the baby, while still in critical condition, to Barzilai Hospital. Doctors at the hospital continued to fight for her life but were ultimately forced to declare her deceased.

The ZAKA (Disaster Victim Identification) organization's southern district chapter became involved following the tragedy. Typically, sudden infant deaths require thorough investigations, potentially including an autopsy at the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute, which can cause significant delays to burial and distress families. To prevent such a delay and uphold the dignity of the deceased, ZAKA officials, including Ashkelon commander Rabbi Meir Buskila, worked with legal advisors and authorities, including police and the state prosecution, to argue against an unnecessary autopsy.

Their efforts were successful, and permission was granted to release the infant's body directly from Barzilai Hospital for immediate burial without transfer to the forensic institute. This allowed the grieving family to proceed with funeral arrangements quickly. The funeral was scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

Yaakov Amselag, a paramedic with United Hatzalah, described arriving at the scene and finding the infant unconscious in her mother's arms, having not woken from sleep. He performed prolonged resuscitation before the hospital transfer. Rabbi Buskila expressed his gratitude to the Ashkelon police for their sensitivity and cooperation in expediting the process and respecting the deceased.