Nine Hundred Days Later, Where is Haimanot Kassaw?

More than 900 days have passed since Haimanot Kassaw, a nine-year-old girl, disappeared without a trace, leaving authorities and her family without answers. Kassaw was last seen on February 25, 2024, entering the absorption center where she lived with her family in the northern city of Tzfat. Security footage captured her entering the building, but she was never recorded leaving, despite extensive searches of the premises, including the use of tracking dogs and specialized equipment.

Investigators have pursued several leads, including the testimony of a friend who was with Kassaw shortly before her disappearance. This friend reported encountering suspicious individuals in a playground, and later, Kassaw vanished while they were distracted. However, details in the friend's account have reportedly changed over time, and police found no evidence to support the claim that Kassaw was taken from the playground.

Another avenue explored involved a gardener in southern Israel who claimed to have overheard a conversation about a child being held and needing medication. He also reported seeing a girl he believed to be Kassaw shouting for help from a nearby house. This lead was investigated but yielded no connection to Kassaw's disappearance. The gardener later suffered a stroke, and claims he was poisoned were medically ruled out.

A man who previously lived in Tzfat and knew Kassaw's family was arrested in December 2025 on suspicion of attempting to abduct another child and was also questioned regarding Kassaw's disappearance. However, no evidence linked him to the case, and he was subsequently released.

Further investigations considered the possibility of Kassaw falling into the hands of a sex offender or being targeted by a cult. Individuals with relevant criminal histories in the area were examined, and information about cults attempting to recruit children was reviewed, but no concrete links were established. In August 2026, over 900 days after she vanished, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) joined the investigation, assisting the police with their efforts. The family hopes the Shin Bet's involvement will finally bring a breakthrough and lead to Kassaw's safe return.