Five family members hit by lightning on Zikim Beach

three brothers, a sister and the wife of one of the brothers were struck by lightning on tuesday on Zikim beach near the northern Gaza strip. the five were evacuated to barzilai medical center in ashkelon, according to a magen david adom spokesperson.

“we were hanging out at an abandoned beach when lightning struck the sand and knocked us to the ground,” said elazar hazut of beersheba from his hospital bed. “i ask for israelis to pray for us.”

elazar, his brother, elhanan, and wife, efrat, 21, remain in serious condition. his brother, asher, 14, was transferred in critical condition to the hospital as resuscitation attempts continued. another sister, 13, whose name was withheld, is in serious but stable condition.

“on the beach were two unconscious youths, and one floating in and out of consciousness,” said mda paramedic Keren salvodanik. “the mda team that was near the scene began resuscitation attempts on the two youths who had no pulse and weren’t breathing, and provided treatment to the injured [youth] who was floating in and out of consciousness.

“as soon as we arrived, together with more mda paramedics, we continued resuscitation attempts and

treatment of the injured” youth, he said. “The heart of one of the youths began to beat again and, at the moment, we are continuing resuscitation attempts on one youth and providing lifesaving medical treatment to the additional victims.”

According to eyewitnesses, lightning struck the beach lifeguard station near where the family had spread its blankets.

“There was a flash as if someone threw a stun grenade,” an eyewitness told Reshet Bet radio. “We grabbed our stuff, and ran for the vehicle. While I was running, I saw someone on the beach, waving his hands, calling for an ambulance. I saw four people lying on the ground. It was a mess.”

Showers and isolated thunderstorms began Tuesday afternoon. Hikers are warned that flash floods may occur in the South, the Dead Sea area and Eilat. Temperatures will fall in the coming days and scattered showers are expected until Thursday

afternoon. •

(Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post) AN EARLY FALL RAIN spoiled the Chol Hamoed activities for hundreds of thousands of Israeli families yesterday. Some Jerusalemites carry umbrellas along Jaffa Road.