Suspected Drowning Victim Found Near Ashkelon's Hofit Beach

Police said search teams found a man's body near Hofit Beach in Ashkelon after extensive searches began Saturday night over a report that a person may have drowned. The operation included Ashkelon station officers, mounted police, marine police, rescue units, emergency crews and volunteers scanning the shoreline and sea. Authorities said the identity has not been confirmed and the body will be transferred to the National Center of Forensic Medicine for identification and examination. Police are continuing to examine the circumstances, while the drowning remains a preliminary assessment.