School Year Opens With Moving Tribute to Missing Girl

Hundreds of students, teachers, and staff at the "Campus Sion" school in Migdal HaEmek opened the academic year on Tuesday with a heartfelt tribute to Haimnot Kassao, a 9-year-old girl who has been missing since February 25, 2024. Participants gathered in the schoolyard to release red balloons, symbolizing hope for her safe return.

The event, held at the request of Kassao's family, included a joint prayer for her well-being. School officials stated that the ceremony aimed to emphasize mutual responsibility and family support at the start of the new school year.

Migdal HaEmek Mayor Yaki Ben Chaim attended the ceremony and expressed his emotion at seeing the students unite for such an important cause. "The entire city of Migdal HaEmek embraces the Kassao family and supports them unceasingly," he said. "We pray together with pure faith for Haimnot's swift and safe return home, and we will not stop being a supportive, loving community for her."

Haimnot Kassao disappeared from a reception center in Safed. Efforts to locate her are ongoing, and her family continues to raise awareness of her disappearance, urging the public to provide any information that could lead to her discovery. The Shin Bet security agency has confirmed its involvement in the investigation into her disappearance.