One Israeli killed, another missing as winter storm sweeps Israel

A woman in her 50s was critically injured when a heavy object struck her as floodwaters rose in her home in the Shuafat refugee camp in eastern Jerusalem. Emergency medics from Magen David Adom found her unconscious at a nearby security checkpoint and rushed her to Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead.

Firefighters in the Binyamin region were called on Tuesday afternoon to search for a 16-year-old boy who went missing after being swept away in the Nahal Modi'in stream. They are searching along with Magen David Adom and several local emergency services units. Israel Police and other emergency services issued updates later in the evening, confirming that they were still searching and that the boy had not yet been found.

According to Israel's KAN News, two young men, ages 16 and 20, were caught in the floods after going out to see the storm firsthand. The 20-year-old managed to escape the floodwaters and did not require further medical attention, according to Magen David Adom.

Additionally, a 92-year-old man was found unconscious outside of a home in the Bedouin village of Bir al-Maksur in northern Israel. Magen David Adom medics administered first aid and evacuated him to Rambam Hospital. His condition was described as moderate, with signs of hypothermia.

Heavy rain also caused flooding at the Hatzor Air Base in central Israel, the Defense Forces said.

“Base teams are currently working to address the incident and contain the flooding, while maintaining the proper functioning of the base. There is no harm to operational capability,” the IDF said.

In 2020, eight aircraft at Hatzor were severely damaged when two nearby rivers overflowed.

Snow fell on Mount Hermon, accumulating to roughly 15 centimeters overnight, leading authorities to keep the ski site closed to visitors until at least Thursday.

The Israel Meteorological Service said large amounts of rain fell overnight in the Judean Mountains, the Judean Plain, and the northern Golan Heights, with additional heavy showers expected in the central highlands and the Judean Plain during the day.

Flooding was reported in streams flowing toward the Dead Sea, and forecasters warned of continued flood risks in desert areas. At the same time, the service noted that the peak of the strong winds had already passed and no further intensification was expected.

Wind gusts overnight reached extreme levels along the coast, with speeds of about 100 kilometers per hour. A peak gust of 103 kilometers per hour was recorded in the southern coastal city of Ashkelon. In Tel Aviv, gusts reached 85 kilometers per hour, while winds of more than 80 kilometers per hour were measured in Hadera, Haifa Bay and other coastal areas. Jerusalem recorded gusts of up to 65 kilometers per hour.

One of the most serious incidents occurred in the village of Abu Ghosh, near Jerusalem, where firefighters rescued a man and a woman from a vehicle submerged in floodwaters. The driver called emergency services after water reached the level of the car windows.

The woman briefly lost consciousness after being rescued and was taken to hospital, where her condition was described as mild. Fire and rescue officials urged the public not to enter flooded roads or flowing water, stressing the risk to life.

In Rishon LeZion, south of Tel Aviv, a wall of an ancient winery collapsed onto several parked cars. No one was injured in the incident. Mayor Raz Kinstlich said residents narrowly avoided a serious disaster. “Fortunately, no disaster occurred. I’m glad the residents are disciplined and not hanging around outside,” he said. “This is an event that cannot be defined as anything other than a great miracle.”

Emergency medical services reported several minor injuries across the country caused by falling trees and windblown objects. In Rishon LeZion, a woman suffered a minor leg injury from a falling branch.

In Ramat Gan, east of Tel Aviv, a man sustained a minor head injury when a tree fell, while another woman was lightly hurt by a flying object in a commercial area north of Tel Aviv. In Nahariya, in northern Israel, part of a restaurant building collapsed, but no injuries were reported.

Flooding led police to close major roads, including Highway 90 south of Ein Gedi along the Dead Sea, a key route for traffic in the area. Several vehicles were reported trapped in flooded sections of road, including at the Naomi Shemer Tunnel at the eastern entrance to Jerusalem.

Air travel was also affected, with all flights from Haifa Airport canceled due to the weather. Air Haifa said it was working to offer alternative arrangements to passengers.

Forecasters said rain is expected to gradually ease later Tuesday, with lighter, more localized showers on Wednesday, mainly in central and northern areas. Temperatures are expected to rise slightly toward the end of the week as the storm system moves out.

Additionally, five people were rescued on Tuesday from a vehicle that became trapped in floodwaters on Peker Street in Kiryat Malachi.

Firefighters were dispatched following heavy rainfall, after the passengers were unable to leave the vehicle due to rising water. The rescue teams evacuated all five, who were uninjured, to safety.

The Fire and Rescue Service urged drivers to avoid entering deep puddles or areas with flowing water.