Police confirmed that the diver found dead at Haifa's Students Beach on Saturday was Sgt. First Class Itai Persson, a Border Police soldier from the Counter Terrorism Unit (Yamam), who went free diving with his uncle on Thursday.
The police said they had concluded the search on Saturday, after authorities located his body during a search near Students Beach.
According to official statements, he went a kilometer into the sea in a kayak with his uncle and didn't manage to return to the surface during one of the free-diving attempts.
Contact was lost on Thursday at 5:30 p.m., when his uncle spotted him for the last time. The police didn't disclose the reason why he didn't manage to resurface.
By 9:00 p.m., police were notified, and a search began around the beach area that continued until Saturday afternoon, when his body was found.
The police said that they conducted the search on foot, by air, and by sea, with the help of officers and volunteers from the Carmel region, Border police, maritime police, and the air force, alongside all emergency and rescue agencies and the Haifa Municipality.
From pilot course to Yamam
Persson enlisted in the IDF in January 2023 and originally aimed for a pilot role in the Israel Air Force.
In August 2023, he transferred to mandatory service in the Border Police and, after completing basic training, moved to the counter-terrorism undercover unit.
He was later assigned to the unit as an Observation and Drone Team member, and in 2025, after finishing his mandatory service, he enlisted for permanent service in the unit.
He grew up in a well-known family in the city of Haifa, the son of Judge Rona Persson and dentist Dr. Alex Persson. He is survived by his parents, two brothers, and two sisters.
Persson's friends, former teacher, Haifa mayor pay tribute
His friends described him as "a fan of challenges," noting that he participated in the Ninja Israel competition, according to a Ynet News report on Sunday.
"He was injured in the shoulder there," they said. "He didn't say much about his service in the IDF and police, but we knew he was one of the best and most talented in the group."
His former teacher at the Reali School, Ricky Rosenthal, said he was "a people person, with a kind smile, handsome, sensitive and empathetic," Ynet reported.
"He loved challenges but was a thoughtful, thoughtful and goal-oriented boy who excelled in his studies," she said. "He was very close to his parents, sisters, brothers and Nicole. This is a great tragedy that the heart refuses to contain. The Reali School family shares in the great sorrow of the family and friends."
According to Ynet, Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav also paid tribute to Persson, saying that "all of Haifa embraces his parents, brothers and sisters, his partner, friends and all those who loved him."
"On behalf of the city of Haifa and its residents, I send the Persson family our deepest condolences and the embrace of the entire city," he said. "May Itai's memory be blessed."
Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.