Volunteers Find Missing 4-Year-Old Yovel Kogan Alive After Night Outdoors in Southern Israel

Volunteers from ZAKA, Netanel Biton and Noam Simchi, located 4-year-old Yovel Kogan near Nitzanim Beach after he went missing during a family outing in Ashkelon. Yovel had been lost for over 20 hours, spending the night under a tree before being found. Upon discovery, Yovel was dehydrated and unable to speak but nodded to confirm he was okay. Simchi described the moment as overwhelming, saying, "My soul was about to burst with joy." A jeep driver’s wrong turn led them to the exact spot where Yovel was found, which was an area previously unsearched.

Yovel’s mother, Dina, expressed deep gratitude and faith throughout the ordeal, stating, "I prayed for all of you in my heart, on the radio, in the media, by every means. I believed there was no option other than a good ending." The family dismissed conspiracy theories circulating about Yovel’s disappearance, choosing not to engage with rumors. Yovel’s father, Dmitry, urged parents to watch their children closely, emphasizing that such incidents can happen to anyone despite precautions.

Simchi shared that he gave Yovel a necklace and recounted how the boy said he prayed and kept his strength while waiting to be found. The volunteers highlighted the importance of their mission to reunite the child with his family and called for focusing on the positive outcome rather than speculation. The family has since resumed normal activities, with Yovel reportedly returning to his usual self.

This case underscores the critical role of volunteer search efforts and community support in missing child incidents in Israel. Authorities and volunteers continue to stress vigilance and care during outdoor activities with children.