Powerful storm kills kitesurfer; plane lands safely after reported lightning strike
Heavy rainfall, strong winds reaching 105 kph nationwide bring down trees, causing a number of injuries; El Al flight reportedly struck in storm: ‘The plane was shaking’
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A powerful storm with strong winds hit Israel on Friday, killing one person while causing injuries and property damage throughout the country.
The storm came a day after Israel saw its highest January temperature in 66 years.
At a Bat Yam beach, two people were injured while kitesurfing in strong winds, according to Ynet. One was in critical condition and was later declared dead, while the other sustained light injuries.
In Rishon LeZion, a tree fell on a car, moderately injuring a man in his 40s, who was then taken to the hospital, Ynet reported.
In Ashkelon, a 65-year-old man was moderately injured after his car flipped in an accident likely caused by a falling tree branch.
In Bnei Brak, another fallen tree struck cars, but no injuries were reported in that incident.
Similarly, a tree fell onto a house in Herzliya with no injuries reported.
(1) במישור החוף מנשבות היום (שישי) רוחות עזות. בשעות הבוקר נמדדו משבי רוח של 60־70 קמ"ש, ומאז חלה עלייה בעוצמתן. צפויה רגיעה ברוחות רק בשעות הלילה. כמו כן, גשמים ירדו היום בכל חלקי הארץ שמצפון לבאר שבע. עיריית תל אביב הזהירה את תושביה להימנע מהגעה לרצועת החוף לכל אורך סוף השבוע… pic.twitter.com/ybK9rTtfFd
— קליין יורם ????????????☮️ (@yoram19661004) January 9, 2026
In Hadera, a pergola blown by the wind hit a girl, lightly injuring her.
Rainfall totals varied nationwide, with Jerusalem recording the highest amount by midday — 21.3 millimeters.
Winds in Hadera were measured at 105 kilometers (65 miles) per hour, while in Tel Aviv they reached 97 kilometers (60 miles) per hour.
In an unusual alert, the Tel Aviv municipality urged residents to stay away from the city’s beaches because of the powerful winds, which caused gnarly waves up to 10 meters (32 feet) high, according to Hebrew media.
The municipality warned those planning a beach day in such conditions to make other plans.
“Throughout the whole weekend, gale force winds will blow, and especially high waves are expected on the Tel Aviv-Jaffa beach,” read an alert on the city’s website. “Attention — don’t go near the beach during the storm!”
In the afternoon, more than 10 planes found themselves idling in the air awaiting permission to land because of the storms.
An El Al flight from Madrid was hit by lightning about 20 minutes before it was due to land at Ben Gurion Airport, Channel 12 news reported.
The flight was carrying members of the Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball team who had travelled for a game in the Spanish capital.
The plane experienced a slight drop in altitude, some passengers told Channel 12, adding that the pilot informed them that there was no damage to the plane.
“It was scary. The plane started shaking. Everyone was stressed. Luckily, it ended safely,” an unnamed player told the outlet.
A FlyLily flight from Athens was turned back, and an El Al flight from Dubai was waiting in the skies over Jordan for landing approval.
The weather is supposed to calm down by Friday evening, although showers are still expected throughout the weekend.
The Times of Israel Community.