Tragedy struck Friday morning as a 28-year-old Palestinian man, identified as Jamal Wahidi, lost his life in the Mediterranean Sea off the shores of Jabalia, a town located to the north of the Gaza Strip.

Witnesses reported that Wahidi was swimming with friends when powerful waves swept him far from the shore.

Despite swift efforts by rescue teams to locate and retrieve him, Wahidi remained missing for a few minutes.

Attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.