Diver believed to have been killed in shark attack filmed by helpless beachgoers: ‘They're biting me!'
Terrifying video shows a diver being attacked by a shark as horrified beachgoers watched on helplessly.
The unidentified diver is assumed dead after the attack at a beach in Israel that has been drawing tourists to see the sharks — with one video showing one swimming right up to a child standing in the water.
The attacked diver was heard screaming, 'They're biting me!' before being dragged further out to sea off the city of Hadera on Monday, according to The Times of Israel.
'They're eating him, eating the man!' one terrified witness cried, according to disturbing video circulating on social media.
3 Disturbing video showed the man flailing in the water during a shark attack on Monday, according to reports.
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'Wow, wow, he's with the shark, he's fighting him,' another said in the dramatic clip.
'I was in the water, I saw blood and there were screams,' one witness, Eliya Motai, told Ynet on Monday.
Another witness, Shlomo, said he and his friends are all now 'traumatized.'
'We were just walking down to the water when we saw someone flailing in the sea — fighting a shark and trying to get away. The shark lunged at him. It was hard to watch,' he said.
'It was chilling. We literally saw the shark attack him … It could've been me.'
3 Human remains were recovered Tuesday and sent to a lab for identification, Israeli officials said.
Getty Images
Human remains were later discovered nearly 24 hours later on Tuesday after officials shut down the beach and launched a massive search in the area with divers, jetskis and helicopters. However, officials have yet to confirm that they are the missing diver.
'At this point I am able to say that there were several findings that were sent for [forensic] examination, and we will await the professional results,' police spokesman Aryeh Doron said.
Additional information about the victim was not immediately available. Distraught family members were seen rushing to the beach after the grim discovery was made, according to Israel's YNet News.
Shark attacks are incredibly rare in Israel, according to local experts.
3 Sharks had been spotted in the area in the days leading up to the attack.
AFP via Getty Images
The exact breed of shark was not immediately known, however marine life experts told YNet it was likely a dusky shark or a sandbar shark, which are typically harmless to humans.
Dusky sharks can reach an impressive 13-feet long and weigh 750 pounds whereas sandbar sharks are smaller, growing to about 8 feet and 220 pounds.
Yigael Ben-Ari, head of marine rangers at the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, said this would be just the third shark attack recorded in Israel in the last 80 years. One person was killed in an attack in the 1940s.
Endangered dusky and sandbar sharks have been lurking in the area along the Mediterranean coast for years and this week Israeli tourists who flocked to beaches during the holiday week.
One video shared by Israeli media before the attack showed a massive shark swimming right up to swimmers in the shallows.
'What a huge shark!' the man filming exclaims, as the shark approaches him. 'Whoa! He's coming toward us!'
'Don't move!' he implores a child standing nearby, who replies: 'I'm leaving.'
The man then asks: 'What, are you afraid of the sharks?'
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Chicago Tribune
40 minutes ago
- Chicago Tribune
A year after encampments swept Chicago-area universities, 3 pro-Palestinian protesters speak out
Six months have passed since fourth-year University of Chicago student Mamayan Jabateh last stepped foot on campus. Jabateh was one of two students arrested after she participated in an October demonstration calling for an end to the university's investment in weapons manufacturers arming Israel. The protest, which drew a crowd of more than 150 people, was initially peaceful, Jabateh said. Students and staff stood before the crowd giving speeches, later moving through the campus. When campus police intervened, that all changed. Last spring, university students, including Jabateh at the U. of C. and others across the country erected 130 encampments on the lawns of their campuses, barricading themselves from law enforcement to stand in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, where bombardments have destroyed nearly all higher education institutions. Since the October 2023 Hamas attack, which left 1,200 Israelis dead and more than 250 hostages, the ensuing war has killed 55,000 Palestinians according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Several Chicago-area universities, including Northwestern, the University of Chicago and Loyola, made national and international news for their encampments. Many students dove into the protests, understanding the consequences they'd face — possible suspension, expulsion, and, for some, their diplomas withheld. Yet, they continued, they said, passionate about the cause they were fighting for. More than a year later, the repercussions continue as well, as the Trump administration aims to punish the students who participated, signaling a wider, more coordinated federal crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses. As universities continue to discipline student activists and attempt to quell on-campus demonstrations, the pro-Palestinian movement has become a flashpoint in the national debate over free speech. Loyola law student Zak Cheikho helped coordinate several encampments across the city last year as a member of Students for Justice in Palestine, and said he witnessed institutions 'exercising the police against their students.' 'It took the courage and bravery of students and educators … to put their bodies between the students at the encampment and the police,' for the encampments to grow. Cheikho knew the possible consequences but that did not dissuade him, he said. 'I think it's a very easy moral question,' Cheikho said. 'The burden seems like a lot until you put it into the context of the others, of the suffering that's being faced by people, then it's very little.' When the bombardments on Gaza began in 2023, U. of C. grad student Mike Miccioli joined hundreds in protesting outside the Israeli Consulate in Chicago. His involvement continued in the following months — tabling daily in the quad at U. of C. and fundraising for Palestinians. The encampment at the Hyde Park school lasted eight days before being raided by campus police. Miccioli criticized the university's response to last year's encampments, also noting a 'violent' police raid at a protest on Oct. 11, 2024, that led to two student arrests and suspensions. Miccioli said he understood the consequences for participating in the demonstration. But his disciplinary case for participating in the demonstrations was eventually dropped, and he resumed his studies. As a precondition to negotiating, organizers insisted that the university implement a Gaza 'scholars at risk' program, where Palestinian scholars would study and teach at the U. of C. While some Palestinian scholars are now at U. of C., Miccioli said the university did not 'fully implement the program' and 'went back on their agreement.' In a statement to the Tribune, U. of C. said university faculty nominated one scholar impacted by the conflict in Gaza, approved by the Scholars at Risk committee, and the scholar has been on campus and teaching since winter quarter. The university said it welcomes nominations for more eligible scholars. But while the school portrays itself as the 'gold standard' of free speech and academic freedom, Miccioli said, it 'has shown that that only applies to certain types of speech.' In a statement, U. of C. said it is 'fundamentally committed to upholding the rights of speakers and protesters to express a wide range of views.' However, at the same time, university policies state, 'protests and demonstrations cannot jeopardize public safety, disrupt the University's operations, or involve unlawful activity.' Northwestern promised a similar program, agreeing to support two visiting Palestinian faculty members for two years and providing five Palestinian undergraduate students with the full cost of attendance. The Daily Northwestern, however, reported that only one Palestinian faculty member is currently a visiting scholar. Northwestern did not respond to a Tribune request for comment on the program. Several students told the Tribune that the U. of C. has been cracking down on alleged antisemitism on campus, following the Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism's recent focus on investigating Chicago-area schools. The university launched an investigation in March into alleged antisemitic signs displayed in a faculty member's office. The faculty member voluntarily removed the signs, however, this marked the second probe by into antisemitism on campus following a March 13 incident involving vandalism of an on-campus Israel installation. Following the U. of C.'s implementation of revised protest policies that include the banning of encampments, overnight protests and demonstrations with 'amplified sound,' the advocacy group Palestine Legal filed a civil rights complaint on behalf of the campus group University of Chicago United for Palestine, demanding an investigation into the university's alleged 'nearly year-long, hostile environment of anti-Palestinian racism' on campus. Universities' responses to last year's encampments were typical, according to Genevieve Lakier, a University of Chicago professor specializing in freedom of speech and American constitutional law. However, what's occurred since then in recent months, she said, is increasingly concerning. 'Initially, universities responded in ways consistent with a long-standing tradition of permitting student protest,' Lakier said. 'Institutions like the University of Chicago, Columbia, and Harvard have historically welcomed protest as part of their educational mission. It's expected — students are supposed to question the status quo.' Lakier noted that the shift typically occurred after accusations the protests were antisemitic and schools began facing increased pressure from donors and their board of trustees to end them. It will be harder for dissenting voices to be heard on campus, she said. 'The university should not be governed by the desires of their rich alumni or boards of trustees, because that's inevitably, over time, going to mean that certain voices are going to be suppressed,' Lakier said. Pressure to keep pro-Palestinian protests off college campuses increased under the Trump administration, as President Donald Trump encouraged universities to have a heavier hand with student protesters, threatening cuts to funding and investigations into universities if they did otherwise. 'Trump is clearly signaling that universities need to not only discipline students more, but they need to change their speech rules altogether to make it harder for students to protest,' Lakier said. Until a couple of weeks ago, she said she believed the administration had succeeded in extinguishing the largest anti-war movement organized by students since the 1960s. But now, Lakier said, students are beginning to resist and push back. 'But the political environment is a very dangerous and scary one,' she said. 'Who knows what is going to happen next?' While her recollection is hazy, Jabateh said officers at the October protest trampled students and began hitting fallen students with batons. They charged the crowd and pepper-sprayed students. At some point, she intervened, deflecting a baton from hitting a fellow student, and again, when the officer then attempted to beat her, she said. Jabateh was accused of hitting a police officer during the protest and was later charged with aggravated battery of a peace officer, as well as resisting or obstructing a peace officer. While Jabateh said the protest was initially peaceful and escalated by officers, a U. of C. spokesperson said protestors 'vandalized and damaged property, instigated confrontations with police by physically surrounding a police car, blocked the public road and struck police officers who responded.' Though she walked away from the protest, she didn't leave unscathed. She remained in pain for a week after, she said, and it took hours for her to completely wash off the remnants of being pepper-sprayed. Two months after the October protest during finals week in December, she was led off campus by officers in handcuffs and charged. Jabateh said spending 30 hours in jail after her arrest was 'very scary.' Jabateh was evicted from her dorm and banned from campus immediately after her release. Nearly six months later, she has yet to return to the university as she was suspended from campus for two years. Jabateh also pleaded guilty to the criminal charges filed against her to have them expunged from her record in one year. 'I do not feel safe at UChicago anymore,' Jabateh said. 'This is something that I'm going to take with me for a very long time.' Manuel Rivera, the other U. of C. student arrested and suspended due to his participation in the protest, filed a civil rights complaint against the university in January. Rivera also filed suit against Dean of Students Michael Hayes, and two unnamed university police officers. He alleges that the university's decision to evict and place him on an 'involuntary leave' from campus violated the First Amendment and Illinois and Chicago housing law. This is the first lawsuit and second civil rights complaint against the university regarding pro-Palestinian protests on campus in the last year. Despite what she's faced in recent months and the uncertainty of her future, Jabateh said she has no regrets. She is not deterred from voicing her support for Palestinians. 'If anything, this entire situation has enraged me,' Jabateh said. 'I'm sitting in a moment of rage. There's a lot of healing I need to do, but I don't think that's going to stop me. We've been committed to this movement, and … there's no going back.'
Newsweek
43 minutes ago
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Ten Years Later—Remembering Charleston and Reclaiming Our Personal Security
June 17, 2015, Charleston, S.C.—A date that will forever echo in the soul of a nation. Nine members of Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church were murdered while welcoming a stranger into their Wednesday night Bible study—a time and place most would consider the safest in their week. A decade ago, the sanctity of worship was shattered in an act of unspeakable violence. This anniversary is not just a day of remembrance; it's a sobering call to action. As someone who responded to the scene that evening and has dedicated my life to personal defense education, I believe we dishonor the memory of the fallen if we fail to confront the lessons that were forced upon us that night. Chief among them: Evil doesn't wait for us to be ready. It finds us in sanctuaries, schools, shopping centers, and on sidewalks. And when it does, hope is not a plan. The only antidote to violence is preparation. A child places flowers for shooting victims at a memorial outside the Mother Emanuel Church on June 18, 2015, in Charleston, S.C. A child places flowers for shooting victims at a memorial outside the Mother Emanuel Church on June 18, 2015, in Charleston, S.C. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images A decade later, we still grieve. But we must also reflect—with clear eyes and resolute hearts—on the urgent lesson that night taught us: hope is not a plan, and personal safety is not guaranteed by good intentions alone. A Place of Peace, A Target of Violence The attack on Mother Emanuel was not random. It was premeditated, ideological, and intended to inflict terror and division. But the shocking nature of the attack also highlights how vulnerable everyday Americans are when they assume that the presence of peace guarantees the absence of danger. These parishioners extended grace to a stranger. But grace must be balanced with vigilance, especially in today's world. It is not paranoia to recognize that evil exists—it is prudence. We live in a world where soft targets have become focal points for violence. And while law enforcement plays a critical role, the first line of defense is you. From Tragedy to Responsibility The case for personal security planning has never been stronger. In the years since that tragedy, we've seen a steady rise in targeted violence against soft targets—schools, houses of worship, grocery stores. These are not traditional battlefields, but they have become focal points for attackers precisely because they are perceived as defenseless. The answer isn't to militarize every space or live in fear. The answer is a culture of preparedness. Every individual, family, and community should ask themselves: "If something happens, am I ready?" Some are uncomfortable mixing the language of defense with the language of faith. But I'd argue they are deeply intertwined. Scripture speaks often of shepherds defending their flock—not just spiritually, but physically. Peace is always the goal, but preparedness is often the price of preserving it. Mother Emanuel's legacy is one of grace, forgiveness, and courage. But let us also honor the victims by committing to protect our own communities with the same intentionality and care. As we remember Cynthia, Susie, Ethel, Depayne, Daniel, Sharonda, Myra, Tywanza, and Rev. Clementa Pinckney—may we never forget their names or their legacy. But may we also commit to honoring them in action. Not just with candles or vigils, but with training. With readiness. With resolve. Evil struck Mother Emanuel in the quiet of prayer. The next 10 years must be about ensuring that in every house of worship, every family home, and every corner of our nation, we are not helpless. We are aware. We are prepared. Rob Chadwick is the director of education and training for the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), where he leads a nationwide network of over 10,000 certified instructors. A 30-year law enforcement veteran and former head of the Tactical Training Unit at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Rob has trained elite teams, led SWAT operations, and protected six U.S. attorneys general. A recipient of the FBI Director's Medal of Excellence for Training, he now empowers everyday Americans with the knowledge and skills to defend and protect. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
Boston Globe
3 hours ago
- Boston Globe
At least 45 Palestinians killed while waiting for aid trucks in Gaza, health officials say
Palestinians say Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire on crowds trying to reach food distribution points run by a separate U.S. and Israeli-backed aid group since the centers opened last month. Local health officials say scores have been killed and hundreds wounded. In those instances, the Israeli military has acknowledged firing warning shots at people it said had approached its forces in a suspicious manner.
