Israel Locates Intact Altalena Shipwreck 503 Meters Offshore in Historic Discovery

The search operation for the Altalena ship was completed overnight Monday with its discovery at a depth of 503 meters west of Israel's coast. The ship, which arrived in Israel in 1948 and became a central point of one of the country's most painful conflicts, was located using a vessel equipped with advanced sensors and survey systems.

Amichai Eliyahu, Israel's Minister of Heritage who initiated the expedition, described the find as a pivotal moment for national memory, emphasizing the mission's goal to reveal historical truth and preserve the story of the ship's heroes for future generations. Roni Sadeh, head of the Marine Mapping Department and leader of the operation, credited advanced technology and the dedicated professional team for reaching the ship at such a significant depth.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, Minister of National Security, called the discovery a historic closure to one of the most defining and painful events in Israeli society. He noted that the matter had been handled discreetly for many years, and the successful intelligence and operational efforts now bring an emotional achievement for historical truth, remembrance of the fallen, and national unity.