
Bein Hazmanim Tragedies Continue: 12-Yr-Old Dies In Boat Accident, 16-Yr-Old Falls Off Precipice
JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Two families in northern Israel were mourning Sunday after separate accidents during recreational outings claimed the lives of an 11-year-old boy and a 16-year-old yeshiva student.
In the first incident, emergency crews recovered the body of 11-year-old Elchanan Karni from the Jordan River near Yesud HaMa’ala following an extensive search.
Authorities said the boy had been aboard a boat that overturned for reasons that remained under investigation. A caller reported seeing the child disappear beneath the water.
Police, firefighters, Magen David Adom paramedics and volunteer rescue teams established a joint command center and searched the river and surrounding area. Firefighters and volunteers from the Golan Rescue Unit eventually located Karni.
Karni was the son of Rabbi Yisrael Karni, a scholar at the Chatzot Kollel in Modi’in Illit, and Sarah Michal Karni. The family lives in the city.
In a separate incident Sunday afternoon, 16-year-old Yehonatan Kalimian, a resident of Katzrin and student at Hispin Yeshiva High School, died after falling while rappelling at Keshet Cave in northern Israel.
Rescuers estimated that Kalimian fell between 30 and 40 meters, or roughly 100 to 130 feet. Israel Air Force Unit 669 was dispatched as part of the rescue and recovery operation.
Magen David Adom paramedics Maimon Gabai and Ligal Dror said they reached the teenager after descending by rope and found him unconscious and without vital signs.
They performed prolonged resuscitation and other advanced medical treatment but were unable to save him, according to MDA.
Katzrin Mayor Yehuda Dua expressed condolences to the Kalimian family and described Yehonatan as a compassionate teenager who regularly volunteered to help others.
Dua said Kalimian was active as a counselor with the Bnei Akiva youth movement, where he worked with younger children and taught them about Torah, the Land of Israel and community service.
The mayor also praised Kalimian’s parents, Rabbi Alon and Michal Kalimian, describing the family as deeply committed to kindness, generosity and Jewish values.
Funeral services for Kalimian were held Sunday night at the cemetery in Katzrin. The family is observing the mourning period at its home in the city.
Hispin Yeshiva High School expressed shock over the death of its student and offered condolences to his family, asking that his memory be a blessing.
Authorities were investigating the circumstances of both fatal accidents.