Gadi Eisenkot Meets Family of Missing Girl, Vows to Engage Shin Bet Chief

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Unity Party, met on Thursday with the father and older sister of Haimnot Kassao, a nine-year-old girl who disappeared from a reception center in Safed 935 days ago and has not been found since. The family requested increased Shin Bet involvement in the investigation, and Eisenkot pledged to approach relevant parties to assist.

During the meeting at the party's offices, Haimnot's father, Tesfai Kassao, and her sister, Yeros, were present. According to the Haimnot Return Headquarters, Eisenkot stated he would contact Shin Bet Director David Zini to clarify the service's level of involvement and request maximum effort in the investigation. The Shin Bet is already assisting the police in matters related to Haimnot's disappearance.

In February, it was reported to the Knesset that the case is managed by a team at Lahav 433, with the necessary liaison established with the General Security Service (Shin Bet). However, the Kassao family has been demanding for months that responsibility for the investigation be officially transferred to the Shin Bet.

Tesfai Kassao asked Eisenkot that if he were to head the government in the future, he would act to officially transfer the case to the Shin Bet. Eisenkot also agreed to meet with the family again next month.

Following the meeting, Eisenkot spoke with Jewish Agency Chairman Doron Almog to help improve the living conditions of the family, who remain at the Safed reception center while awaiting Haimnot's return. Eisenkot expressed his distress over the situation, stating, "It is unacceptable that in the State of Israel today, a little girl disappears without a trace and a family remains without answers for over two years. The Kassao family must not feel alone under any circumstances. Their struggle is all of ours."

Haimnot was last seen on February 25, 2024, near the Safed reception center. Extensive searches have been conducted since then without success. Over the years, the investigation was transferred to Lahav 433, and the family repeatedly requested deeper Shin Bet involvement to achieve a breakthrough.