A complex maritime search operation has successfully located the Altalena, the ship that sank during one of the most traumatic incidents in Israel's early statehood, lying intact on the Mediterranean seabed. The vessel was found overnight Sunday at a depth of 503 meters (approximately 1,650 feet) west of Israel's coastline.
The discovery followed months of meticulous planning and preparation. A specially equipped vessel using advanced sensors and scanning systems conducted the search. The expedition was initiated by Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu and led by Roni Shadeh, director of the Maritime Mapping Division at the Survey of Israel, marking what officials called a historic step in preserving Zionist heritage sites in Israel's maritime territory.
The Altalena arrived off Israel's coast in June 1948 carrying immigrants, including Irgun fighters, along with weapons and military equipment. The confrontation over the ship became one of the most painful and formative events in the young state's history. Sixteen Irgun members and three Israel Defense Forces soldiers were killed in the clash.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said the discovery "closes a historic circle on one of the most painful and formative events in Israeli society's history." He added: "We worked on this matter secretly for many years, and today – the fruits of the intelligence and operational effort have borne moving fruit for historical truth, the memory of the fallen, and unity with the people of Israel."
Eliyahu called the discovery "a defining moment for our national memory," saying his ministry worked on the operation "out of a deep mission to expose historical truth and make accessible to future generations the story of the ship's heroes."
Shadeh explained that "we succeeded in reaching the ship at a depth of more than 500 meters thanks to advanced technologies and intensive work by a professional and dedicated team in the maritime field."
