After 78 years: Altalena ship found intact on seafloor decades after being sunk by IDF

ByJERUSALEM POST STAFFAUGUST 24, 2026 10:37Updated: AUGUST 24, 2026 11:09The Atalena ship was located intact on the seafloor 78 years after being sunk following an altercation between the IDF and the Irgun in 1948, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and the Heritage Ministry announced on Monday."Tonight we are closing a historical circle on one of the most painful and formative events in the history of Israeli society," Ben-Gvir said."We have been dealing with this issue secretly for many years, and today – the fruits of the intelligence and operational effort have borne exciting fruit for the sake of historical truth, the memory of the fallen, and unity with Israel."The Altalena memorial on Tel Aviv beach. (credit: DR. AVISHAI TEICHER PIKIWIKI ISRAEL)Discovery of Altalena is 'defining moment,' Heritage Minister saysThe ship was found at a depth of 503 m., off Israel's west coast, the Heritage Ministry announced."The discovery of the Altalena is a defining moment for our national memory," Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu stated. "We worked on this operation out of a deep-seated mission to reveal the historical truth and make the story of the ship's heroes accessible to future generations."Follow us on Google