Police Suspect Missing Eldar Dayan Involved in Hit-and-Run, Possibly Hiding

Significant developments have emerged in the investigation into the disappearance of Eldar Dayan, a 23-year-old from Dimona. Police suspect Dayan was involved in a hit-and-run accident and may not be missing but rather hiding following the incident. Concurrently, the Beersheba Magistrate's Court extended the detention of Dayan's friend, Maxim Barberman, until Sunday. Barberman was arrested alongside another Dimona resident yesterday, with his name now publicly disclosed for the first time. Another suspect, Omri Peretz, believed to have been in the vehicle during the accident and charged with obstruction of justice and conspiracy, had his detention extended by six days.

Police found clothing on the roadside in Petah Tikva, where Dayan was last seen with friends, but initial assessments suggest no direct link to his disappearance. Authorities requested a ten-day extension of Barberman's detention, suspecting him of conspiracy and obstructing the investigation. Investigators are still determining who was driving the vehicle, with Barberman as a prime suspect. Police also indicated multiple victims in the accident, citing forensic reports, and noted that Peretz provided false statements to mislead the investigation. Peretz has prior convictions including possession of a knife and military service absence.

The police received the missing person report for Dayan on July 25, although he was last seen on July 17 near Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park. On July 18, Dayan and the two suspects were spotted in Petah Tikva. That same day, police found an abandoned car with a broken windshield and blood inside near a gas station in Petah Tikva. The vehicle belonged to Barberman’s mother, and Dayan was believed to have been inside before disappearing. Barberman has not reported to the police station as he claimed he would.

Conflicting accounts from Dayan’s friends emerged, with one alleging involvement in a fight with foreign civilians, while another denied any such event. Dayan’s mother noted inconsistencies in the friends’ statements. Before disappearing, Dayan messaged his partner about a "commotion" and planned to return to the city but has since lost contact with his family, and his phone is unreachable.

Despite suspicions that Dayan is hiding due to the accident, police still classify him as missing and continue searching. The investigation focuses on identifying all involved in the hit-and-run, reconstructing the vehicle’s route, analyzing evidence and security footage, and determining if any victims sought medical care. Police also requested judicial clarification on jurisdiction since the incident occurred in Petah Tikva, highlighting tensions between the Petah Tikva and Dimona police stations over case responsibility. No confirmed injuries from the accident have been reported so far.