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Israeli Dance Teacher Killed in Panama Crash; Five Injured

5/14/2026

26 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Noa Yitzhak, a 22-year-old Israeli dance teacher and former IDF fitness instructor, was killed in a minibus collision in La Chorrera, Panama.
Five other Israelis were injured in the same crash.
Mayor Guy Yifrach pledged to work with Israel’s Foreign Ministry to bring Yitzhak’s body home for burial.
ZAKA director Baruch Nidam coordinated the body’s transport and arranged flights for the injured Israelis to receive treatment in Israel.

History

Historical Context

When four PFLP militants hijacked Air France Flight 139 on 27 June 1976 and diverted it to Entebbe, Israel launched Operation Thunderbolt, rescuing 102 hostages on 4 July 1976 while commander Yonatan Netanyahu was killed. That overseas response set a precedent for ZAKA director Baruch Nidam and Mayor Guy Yifrach, who are coordinating the repatriation of Noa Yitzhak’s body from Panama.

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Story summary

Noa Yitzhak, a 22-year-old Israeli dance teacher and former IDF fitness instructor, was killed in a minibus collision in La Chorrera, Panama.
Five other Israelis were injured in the same crash.
Mayor Guy Yifrach pledged to work with Israel’s Foreign Ministry to bring Yitzhak’s body home for burial.
ZAKA director Baruch Nidam coordinated the body’s transport and arranged flights for the injured Israelis to receive treatment in Israel.

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