SEVEN DAYS IN THE DEPTHS: The Desperate Search for Missing Teen Avraham Spiegel Continues at Sanz Beach
Divers, drones, and jet skis continue a relentless search for 17-year-old Avraham Yeshayahu Spiegel, missing for a week in the waters off Netanya. As the community buries his older brother, who succumbed to the same tragic incident, rescue teams vow to "turn over every stone" to bring the teenager home.
"We are not giving up for a single moment; we will continue to turn over every stone." These were the words of rescue commanders on Thursday as the search for 17-year-old Avraham Yeshayahu Spiegel entered its seventh consecutive day.
The massive search operation at Netanya’s Sanz Beach has remained active since last Friday, when Avraham disappeared beneath the waves. The mission has become a race against time and nature, involving a sophisticated, multi-agency effort to provide closure to a family already reeling from an unthinkable double tragedy.
Although a week has passed since the drowning, the intensity of the search has not waned. The specialized teams on-site include:
"We have been here for seven days straight," said Chaim Outmezgine, commander of ZAKA’s special units. "Even in complex conditions and a difficult sea, we will not leave the scene. It is our mission, and we will not stop until we can bring news to the family."
A Family’s Double Heartbreak
The tragedy began last Friday when Avraham and his older brother, 21-year-old Yissachar Dov Spiegel, were swept away by currents at the separate beach.
While Yissachar Dov was pulled from the water, he succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday after fighting for his life for five days in the Intensive Care Unit at Laniado Medical Center. On Wednesday night, thousands gathered for a heart-wrenching funeral to lay him to rest.
During the eulogy, their father, Rabbi Shlomo Spiegel (a prominent figure in the Mir Yeshiva), cried out in grief over "the deposit that has returned" and pleaded for the safe return of his second son still lost at sea.
Current Status
As of Thursday morning, rescue teams are recalibrating their search sectors based on real-time current analysis. The focus remains on the underwater rock formations and areas difficult to reach by foot, utilizing advanced technology to scan the seabed.