Hasidic Man Finds Missing 4-Year-Old Boy in Ashkelon After Getting Lost on Horseback

A four-year-old boy named Yuval Kogen, who went missing on Thursday afternoon near the northern beach dunes of Ashkelon, was found safe on Friday morning after an extensive search. Yuval had disappeared while exploring bushes during a family outing, prompting a large-scale rescue operation involving hundreds of emergency personnel, including ZAKA volunteers, Israeli police, Magen David Adom, divers, and others. The search covered sea, air, and land using advanced drones, off-road vehicles, and specialized equipment in a challenging terrain featuring steep cliffs, wide dunes, and open water.

The boy was discovered by Noam Simchi, a Breslov Hasid from Ashdod, who had set out on horseback to assist in the search. Simchi mistakenly took a wrong path but ended up spotting Yuval standing under a tree. Expressing great emotion, Simchi said, "He looked at me. Thank God, say a psalm of thanks. Thank the Almighty." The discovery brought relief to the family and the community after nearly 24 hours of anxious searching.

During the search, Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke with Yuval's mother, Dr. Dina Kogen, a pediatrician, who had feared the worst, including the possibility of abduction. Herzog assured her he was in close contact with the police chief and Shin Bet head. The difficult search conditions and the boy’s safe recovery were acknowledged by ZAKA Ashkelon commander Aryeh Blumenfeld, who thanked all volunteers for their relentless efforts. With Yuval found unharmed, the family and public expressed immense gratitude and relief.