Two Friends of Missing Dimona Man Arrested Hours After Police Deny Criminal Suspicion

A dramatic turn occurred in the case of Eldar Yitzhak Dayan, a 23-year-old man from Dimona who has been missing since mid-July. On Monday evening, two of Dayan's friends were arrested for questioning after providing testimonies at a police station. One friend admitted involvement in a fight, and police revealed new information suggesting the disappearance might have a criminal background.

This development came just hours after the police publicly stated there was no indication of criminal activity in Dayan's disappearance, despite his family's repeated concerns and claims that the friends' accounts had changed multiple times. Dayan's sister, Lian, said their last contact was on July 16, when he mentioned there was "a mess." His partner also reported similar words before losing contact with him.

Dayan's mother, Shilat, said her son left Dimona with a friend but never returned home. The friend initially claimed they parted ways at a gas station near Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park but later altered his story several times. The family has urged the police to consider a criminal investigation, which now appears to be underway following the arrests.

Search efforts for Eldar Dayan continue alongside the ongoing investigation of the detained friends. The case raises questions about the police's initial handling and public communication, given the family's early warnings about suspicious circumstances.