Police Shift Eldar Dayan Case to Criminal Investigation, Detain Two Suspects

Israeli police have escalated the investigation into the disappearance of 23-year-old Eldar (Yitzhak) Dayan from Dimona, now suspecting a criminal element rather than a simple missing person case. Two of Dayan's friends, both in their twenties and also from Dimona, were arrested after being seen with him in Petah Tikva on the day he vanished about a week ago. During interrogation, suspicions arose that the two suspects obstructed the investigation and conspired to commit a crime.

The Be'er Sheva Magistrate's Court approved the police request to extend the detention of one suspect until August 2, 2026, with a hearing for the second suspect scheduled later. New information, including testimony from one of Dayan's friends admitting involvement in a fight, has strengthened the suspicion that the disappearance may be linked to a criminal incident. Despite the shift in suspicion, police believe Dayan is still alive and continue their search efforts.

This development follows days of family concerns over inconsistencies in the friends' accounts and doubts about the circumstances of Dayan's disappearance. Earlier, police had asked the public for help in locating Dayan, initially stating there was no suspicion of criminal activity, a position that changed after the arrests and court proceedings.