Memento from the past: The storm that hit Tel Aviv two weeks ago caused heavy damages to the Caesarea pier but unearthed treasures from beneath the depths. Diving instructors Amar Yunes and Ofir Nadar of the Caesarea diving club were on the scene Saturday to estimate the magnitude of the weather damages.
"We dived to a depth of six meters (19.6 feet) when we suddenly saw suspicious objects. We got closer and found 20 hand grenades and additional weaponry scattered around," Yunes said. The divers documented the surprising find in a special underwater camera.
"When we resurfaced we called the police and showed the officers the pictures we took underwater. A sapper arrived and I showed him the pictures I took. He recognized the hand grenades as old MILES hand grenades. The IDF was also given a full report on the weapons we found and they contacted me, but they still haven't cleared the weapons."
It is estimated that the hand grenades are decades old, most likely from the time of the British Mandate. Younis said that a similar event occurred four years ago when one of the divers pulled the same type of grenade out of the sea and brought it into the diving club's offices without knowing that he held a weapon in his hand.
Treasure uncovered (Photo: Amar Yunes)
After finding out that it was a grenade, everyone had to leave the area until a sapper arrived and conducted a controlled explosion. "I realized that the grenades are still dangerous in spite of being old and in spite of the number of years they were lying under water," Younis said.
"Notwithstanding the danger, private divers still dive in the area. We warned them, and they promise not to touch the weapons but I know Israelis: eventually someone will touch, and will cause a disastrous blast."
The storm brought more than just weapons to light. Younis said that in addition to the findings he documented "we uncovered old anchors that were buried under the sand and even earthenware and marble pots."
Gil Naveh contributed to the report