ZAKA Reports Rise in 'Silent Deaths' Across Israel

The ZAKA Search and Rescue team is observing an alarming increase in "silent deaths" across Israel, particularly in the southern cities of Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Beersheba, as well as Bat Yam and Holon. In 2025, the organization documented 213 cases where individuals were found deceased after a significant period, with bodies in advanced stages of decomposition. ZAKA volunteers are increasingly responding to calls where people have died alone and remained undiscovered for extended durations.

Key indicators of these tragedies include uncollected mail, a buildup of advertising flyers at the doorstep, and a television left running continuously. ZAKA is urging neighbors to be more attentive to elderly residents and to monitor for unusual quietness in building communication channels. The organization also suggests that utility companies could play a role by tracking sudden drops in water consumption within apartments.

These discoveries are often accidental, highlighting a societal indifference that leads to ignored warning signs like accumulating trash. In one instance in Ashkelon, a landlord entered a deceased tenant's apartment months after their death solely to renew the lease. In another case, a woman was only found when a water leak from her apartment affected downstairs neighbors.

ZAKA volunteers assist forensic investigators at the scene, meticulously collecting biological remains for burial according to Jewish rites. When the deceased has no surviving relatives, ZAKA manages all funeral arrangements. For example, the organization assembled a minyan for the burial of a 60-year-old Ashkelon resident after Interpol searches for family proved unsuccessful.