Israel finds lost Altalena ship intact on Mediterranean seafloor, 78 years after IDF sinking

The Altalena ship, sunk 78 years ago after a confrontation between the IDF and the Irgun in 1948, has been found intact on the Mediterranean seafloor. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and the Heritage Ministry announced the discovery on Monday, stating the ship was located at a depth of 503 meters, approximately 20 kilometers off Israel's west coast. Ben-Gvir remarked, "Tonight we are closing a historical circle on one of the most painful and formative events in the history of Israeli society." Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu called the discovery "a defining moment for our national memory," emphasizing the effort to reveal historical truth and honor the ship's heroes.