One-Year-Old Girl Drowns in Private Pool in Beit Shean, Condition Critical

A one-year-old girl from a Haredi family drowned in a private pool in Beit Shean on Tuesday morning. At 10:08 a.m., emergency services received a report and teams from Magen David Adom (MDA) and United Hatzalah were dispatched to the scene. Paramedics found the infant unconscious, without pulse or breathing, and immediately began resuscitation efforts including chest compressions, ventilation, and medication administration. She was then rushed to Emek Medical Center in critical condition while CPR continued en route.

Moshe Aryeh Katz, an emergency medical technician with MDA, described the scene, stating that the baby was found unresponsive and that witnesses confirmed she had drowned in the pool. United Hatzalah responders, including Uriel Israeli and paramedics Eliran Tzuria and Elhanan Breska, reported that family members had pulled the child from the water unconscious. They provided initial medical care and continued resuscitation until hospital transfer, while the organization’s support teams assisted the family.

According to data from the "Beterem" organization, 11 children and teenagers have died from drowning since the start of 2026, a 5.5-fold increase compared to two deaths in the same period last year. Between 2021 and 2025, 82 children and teens drowned, with about half of the cases involving children aged newborn to four years old. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about child safety around water in Israel.

The infant remains in critical condition at Emek Medical Center, with medical teams continuing to monitor her closely. Authorities have not released further details about the circumstances of the drowning or any ongoing investigations.