Parents of Missing Boy Yuval Praise Volunteers After His Safe Recovery in Nitzanim Dunes

Yuval Kogen, a 4-year-old boy who went missing for nearly a day, was found safe but tired in the Nitzanim dunes, his parents, Dani and Dina Kogen, shared on July 24. Shortly after his rescue, Yuval fell asleep in his parents' arms and quickly made up for missed meals with sweets and drinks, according to his father in an interview with "Ulpan Shishi."

Yuval recounted to his parents how he survived alone in the wilderness, including sleeping under a large tree, seeing a helicopter and a ship, and hearing sounds in the sky, likely illumination flares from security forces. Dani Kogen said Yuval walked about five kilometers by himself and credited a white hat the boy wore as possibly protecting him.

The search operation mobilized over 5,000 volunteers from across Israel despite the intense heat. Dani described the family's ordeal as a very difficult night filled with fear and worry, but they maintained hope and prayer. He called Yuval's safe return a "true miracle" that restored their family’s life and spirit.

The parents expressed deep gratitude to the volunteers who found Yuval, naming Nati Biton from Moshav Emunim and Noam Samchi from Ashdod as heroes and "messengers of God who brought Yuval back and gave us back the air in our sails."