Netanyahu and Rivlin send their condolences to Michael Ben Zikri's family who drowned to death after rescuing a mother and her two daughters from his sister-in-law: "He did not hesitate for a moment"

• The late Michael Ben Zikri

Michael Ben Zikri drowned in a lake at Zikim guard after saving the lives of a mother and her little daughters who failed to leave the lake. As the Sabbath left, the prime minister and the president of the state eulogized a civilian who had committed the heroic act that cost him his life. 

PM Netanyahu wrote on his Twitter page: "I extend a deep condolence to the Ben Zikri family on my behalf and on behalf of all the citizens of Israel, regarding the death of the late Yakiram Michael Ben Zikri who sacrificed his life to save family members on Zikim Beach. This is a heroic act. Of blessed memory". 

President Reuben Rablin also eulogized his Twitter page and wrote: "Michael Ben Zikri. Hero. "Michael did, and saved a family. Whole worlds. The Ben Zikri family, I send you a courageous hug. 

Ronnie, Ben-Zikri's brother-in-law, said: "Michael came to the lake and sat with his wife, when he suddenly saw someone shouting 'Save.' He did not hesitate for a moment, went into the water, rescued her and so did the girl. Apparently, he was caught in a quicksand in the lake, 5 meters deep, and he drowned even though he cried for help. Didn't hear him. His wife followed him to see what was going on with him. She got into the water and almost drowned herself. She managed to get out on her own. "

An investigation into the incident shows that the mother and her two daughters, a resident of Hura, entered the lake and began to drift in the water. They cried out for help, and Michael jumped into the water and began to pull them to shore. "He took one girl out, went back to take the other one out - and couldn't," he said. "He felt he was losing power and shouted 'I have no powers.' Then another man jumped into the water to beat the other girl. The other man managed to catch the other girl, but Michael disappeared into the water."