After three days of searching: The body of the late Navy fighter, First Sergeant Itai Persson, 23, from Haifa, who went diving last Thursday at the city's student beach as part of a free diving trip, was found.
Persson entered the water in the afternoon while his family member remained in a kayak. After he did not surface for a long time, rescue forces were called. The circumstances of the incident are being investigated.
He enlisted in January 2023 for a pilot course and in August 2023 he began compulsory service in the Border Guard. Upon completion of his training as a fighter, he continued on a designated track for an undercover course, at the end of which he was assigned to the Border Guard's 24-hour surveillance and drone team.
Last December, he enlisted for permanent service in the unit.
The late Persson left behind his parents, two brothers, two sisters and a partner.
Drones, a police helicopter, boats and jet skis, horses and jeeps were used during the search. The main search efforts focused on extensive scans that were carried out continuously, day and night, from the air, along the coastline and in the water.
Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, paid tribute: "I was saddened to learn of the death of a soldier in the Israel Police's Special Operations Unit, the late First Sergeant Itai Persson. I hug his family and friends, the late Itai, during these difficult times. My heart is with them.".
""Ethi contributed a lot to the security of the State of Israel, in operations whose contents cannot be published. The Ministry of National Security, the Israel Police and the Border Guard will continue to accompany the family. May his memory be blessed.".
