Four-Year-Old Yuval Kogan Found Alive After Extensive Search in Ashkelon

Yuval Kogan, a four-year-old boy who went missing near Hof Hofit beach in Ashkelon, was found alive after more than a day of intensive searching. Yuval disappeared yesterday around 12:50 PM during a walk with his father, Dmitry (Danny) Kogan, who lost sight of him for a few minutes and was unable to locate him, prompting a police search operation.

The search involved hundreds of police officers, volunteers, Border Police fighters, rescue units, and civilians from across Israel, with assistance from the Shin Bet security service. Police Commissioner Major General Danni Levi ordered police academy cadets to reinforce the search forces on the ground.

Yuval was ultimately discovered by a civilian who had unintentionally taken a wrong route near Hof Hofit and spotted the boy standing under a tree. The man expressed deep gratitude, saying, "There is a Holy One blessed be He in the world. Thank God. This is a child who raised the entire country on its feet." He urged the public to recite Psalms or songs of thanks, emphasizing the unity and goodwill that helped in the search.

Earlier, Yuval's mother, Dina Kogan, had appealed to the public to join the search efforts, describing the situation as critical and fearing a possible abduction. She stressed the need for nationwide involvement beyond the police and security services.

The official condition of Yuval has not yet been released. The search operation concluded successfully with the boy's safe recovery today in Ashkelon.