Family of Missing Girl Expresses Mixed Emotions After Another Child Found

The family of Haymanot Kassaw, who has been missing for 918 days, expressed mixed emotions following the safe return of 10-year-old Yahli Sofer. Sofer was reportedly abducted and brought to Bnei Brak before being returned home after a significant incident. While happy for Sofer's family, Haymanot's family feels renewed pain over her continued absence.

Tseffia Kassaw, Haymanot's father, released an emotional statement acknowledging the security forces' ability to act swiftly and effectively in urgent situations, contrasting it with the ongoing frustration over his daughter's case. "Once again, we witnessed a happy ending to a frightening event, and another child found safe and sound," he stated. "Once again, my family and I are happy for people I don't know and try to hold back tears for ourselves. This is what happens when an immediate and effective investigation is conducted upon such a serious alert. In this case, the child is a bit older than Haymanot was when she was abducted; now Haymanot is almost two years older than him."

As the new school year approaches, Tseffia Kassaw made a direct appeal to Israeli security forces and the public to remember his daughter, who disappeared on February 25, 2024. "On the eve of the new school year, I once again call on the Shin Bet to take responsibility for the investigation of the case to atone for what was not done on February 25, 2024," he demanded. "I again ask the people of Israel to raise a red balloon tomorrow for Haymanot in schools, offices, and homes and to continue to be with us and by our side."