Apparent human fetus found in drain under Hadera residential building

Residents said to have discovered 23-week-old fetus in sewer after days of plumbing issues; unclear if it was aborted or miscarried

By ToI Staff 17 January 2026, 3:00 pm 1

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Illustrative: A police car is seen at a crime scene in Hadera on April 28, 2025. (Flash90)

A man located “what appeared to be a human fetus” under a building in northern Israel’s Hadera on Saturday, police said.

According to Hebrew media, residents of the building discovered the fetus in their drainage system when they lifted the sewer lid Saturday morning following days of plumbing issues.

Medics and police arrived at the scene after being alerted to the discovery, police said, requesting the public refrain from coming to the area “due to the sensitivity of the issue.”

The fetus is thought to have been approximately 23 weeks old, Ynet reported. It was unclear who the mother was and whether she miscarried or aborted her pregnancy, according to the Kan public broadcaster.

The fetus has been sent to the Abu Kabir forensic medicine institute for further examination, according to the Yisrael Hayom newspaper.