Asher Hazut, 14, who was struck by lightning on Zikim Beach on Tuesday along with his two brothers, sister and sister-in-law, passed away at Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon on Wednesday, the hospital reported.
Hazut was the son of a Shas Party official Rabbi Shimon Hazut. The funeral took place at a Beersheba cemetery on Wednesday night.
“I send my condolences to Rabbi Shimon Hazut for the loss of his son, a student at the Ner Shmuel Yeshiva, after being hit by a sudden lightning strike, and whose pure soul was returned back to his creator,” commented Interior Minister Arye Deri. “Shas and I pray for swift recovery of the other Hazut family members, who were also struck by the lightning strike.”
“We were hanging out at an abandoned beach when lightning struck the sand and knocked us to the ground,” said Elazar Hazut from his hospital bed. “I ask for Israelis to pray for us.”
Elhanan Hazut, who was slightly injured from the lightning, recounted the events to the Barzilai spokesperson’s unit: “I remember we said we should get off the beach. My sister-in-law already turned to leave, and the next thing I remember is being woken up by MDA forces, who said we are going to the hospital.”
Barzilai officials added that Efrat Hazut is still in serious condition. Her husband, Elazar, his other brother, Elhanan, and their 13-year-old sister Pedut, who were also struck from the lightning, are all hospitalized there.
“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.”
