Missing Ariel Resident Found Alive After Hours-Long Search

Security forces, including the police, Shin Bet, Israel Prison Service, and IDF Spokesperson's Unit, launched an unusual joint search for Yaniv Sardal, a 53-year-old resident of Ariel, who had entered a Palestinian village in the Samaria region of the West Bank voluntarily and subsequently went missing. Sardal was last seen on Wednesday evening near Ariel.

Following the joint announcement of the search, Sardal was located alive near Qalqilya. Reports indicate that security officials had evidence that Sardal entered the unnamed Palestinian village willingly around 6:00 PM on Wednesday. The village's name was withheld to prevent further security incidents.

During the night, security forces coordinated a multi-agency effort involving police, IDF, intelligence gathering, and special units, including the elite Matzada unit of the prison service. A police helicopter was deployed as part of the extensive search operation aimed at ensuring Sardal's safety and security.

Sardal is described as approximately 1.78 meters tall, with dark brown eyes and black hair, and a slim to medium build. He was last seen wearing black shorts, a black shirt, and white flip-flops. Authorities had appealed to the public for any information regarding his whereabouts, providing contact numbers for the Ariel police station and the national emergency number.