Remains found after father-of-four is savaged by shark off an Israeli beach - as trolls' AI images of 'anti-Semitic beasts' spark fury
The chilling attack took place near Olga Beach, Hadera, yesterday and prompted a major search and rescue operation.
'Help' and 'they're biting me' were among the man's final words as he thrashed his arms in the air helplessly before being dragged out to sea.
The event later stirred controversy as AI images of 'anti-Semitic sharks' were soon circulated that depicted the creatures wearing Hamas bandanas.
People joked online that it was the 'anti-Semitic shark' who would 'fight to total victory'.
Two of the images showed a shark wearing a green Hamas bandana or keffiyeh with the caption 'the warrior in the Abu-shark force', with the predator also being dubbed the 'al-Qassam shark' in reference to Hamas' al-Qassam brigade.
A third was a fake picture of former IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari next to a shark, which was posted with the caption claiming Hagari threatened retaliation against the animal and announced that the incident resulted in only 'minor injuries'.
The posts caused fury in Israel, with local media saying the savage shark attack on Monday was used to incite 'anti-Semitic hatred'.
Horrifying footage shows the man flailing in the water off the coast of Hadera's Olga Beach on Monday during the bloody attack as the water quickly turned red
A statement from Israel Police said: 'As you can see, we are now on the second day of searching. We are sparing absolutely no resources. The Police Commissioner has instructed us to deploy all available forces to assist with the search effort.
'Several findings have been sent for examination, and we are awaiting the results. Our primary goal is to bring closure to the family. We will continue our efforts until we locate the missing person.'
Deputy Fire Chief Doron Almashali said: 'After a day and a half of intensive effort, we have found what appears to be part of the missing person. Naturally, these findings must undergo thorough examinations by the Israel Police and the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute.
'We will continue working to confirm that we have indeed found the missing individual. We conducted our search pattern based on careful analysis of underwater currents, and it was precisely in that area where the remains were discovered.
He added that fire service 'sincerely hope we have indeed found the diver who was attacked by the sharks.'
Horrifying footage shows the man flailing in the water during the bloody attack as it quickly turned red.
'I warned him not to go into the sea, and then I received the bitter news,' his friend said, adding that the married father had entered the water to swim with the sharks.
What is left of the man's body has been transferred to the National Center of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv for identification and examination.
This beach area is said to be well-used among swimmers and surfers, who play with the sharks' fins and throw fish for them to eat.
But according to the JNS, swimming in the water off Olga Beach is prohibited.
The man's haunting last words have been revealed by an eyewitness, who said he screamed: 'I'm bitten, I'm bitten,' as he waved his hands in the air.
'After a few minutes, sharks bit him - and suddenly he disappeared,' the beachgoer told Channel 12 News.
But the man, who was missing and feared dead after the savage attack but whose remains were found a day later, wasn't the only one interested in getting close to the predators off Hadera.
Videos shared on social media show other beach-goers, including children, standing in the water and marvelling at the sharks as they swam around their legs just moments before the man was attacked.
Some holidaymakers coming to the area to see the sharks would even grab them by their tails and beat them with an oar, according to the chairwoman of the Israeli Shark Association.
The association said people actively approaching the predators was 'unreasonable behaviour'.
The Hadera Municipality Coastal Department said it was 'conducting searches by jet ski to locate the diver and will continue to update as developments occur'. Rescuers are pictured above searching for the man's remains earlier today
The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel has reacted to the shark attack by saying it called on the state four years ago to regulate behaviour.
It said: 'Every winter, a unique phenomenon occurs in Israel in which sharks and rays gather at the outlet of the warm waters of the power stations.
'In the case of such a fascinating and public-attracting phenomenon, it would be appropriate to take conservation and safety measures for the public, but over the years, chaos has developed in the area.
'I started recording and saw they were sharks. They got within 164 to 328ft of the shoreline, which caused panic among swimmers.
'Still, some tried to approach them despite the lifeguard's clear orders to get out of the water. The sharks moved from south to north, did a sort of 'dance', and eventually disappeared.'
Shark attacks in the Mediterranean are extremely rare, with 50 recorded since 1900, and only 11 fatal.
The man's body had not been found by Monday night so divers continued their search off Hadera's coast early this morning.
He is believed to have been attacked by at least three sharks.
The Hadera Municipality Coastal Department previously said it was 'conducting searches by jet ski to locate the diver and will continue to update as developments occur'.
'We urge the public traveling in the area to avoid entering the water and contact with the sharks,' it added.
Police and rescue workers were deployed to the scene after receiving an emergency call at 3.02pm on Monday.
Israel Police said on Monday: 'A short time ago, officers from the Hadera Police Station and the Maritime Police were dispatched to the Hadera stream following reports from citizens who claimed they saw a shark attacking a diver in the water.
'Forces are en route, but no casualties have been located so far.'
Footage uploaded to social media showed helicopters scanning the waters for the missing diver.
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