Israeli Man Drowns During Family Vacation in Limassol, Cyprus

Yaakov Israel Yedid Halevi, a 35-year-old Israeli man from Pisgat Ze'ev, tragically drowned yesterday while swimming at a beach in Limassol, Cyprus. He was on a family vacation with his wife and four children when the incident occurred. Yaakov, who served in the military reserves, entered the sea with his family but suddenly disappeared underwater for several hours. Local police and rescue teams conducted a search, eventually recovering his body without signs of life.

ZAKA, the Israeli emergency response organization, coordinated with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local Cypriot authorities to assist the family and manage the necessary procedures to repatriate Yaakov's body to Israel for burial. Baruch Nidam, head of ZAKA's international division, stated that their team immediately began handling the case with respect and urgency to facilitate the transfer and funeral arrangements.

This incident follows a similar tragedy last month when a two-year-old Israeli toddler drowned in a hotel pool in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, and later died in hospital. These events highlight ongoing concerns about water safety for Israeli tourists abroad.

Yaakov's body is expected to be brought back to Israel today (Wednesday) for burial.