Israeli Police Confirm Body Found in Petah Tikva Is Missing Man Eldar Dayan

Israeli police confirmed on August 6 that the body discovered earlier that day near Petah Tikva belongs to Eldar Dayan, a 22-year-old man from Dimona who had been missing since July 16. The body was found in an open area near Highway 40 during an extensive search led by the Sharon District Unit, with assistance from Petah Tikva police, Border Police fighters, and volunteers. The identification was completed at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine through advanced DNA analysis, which matched the remains to Dayan.

Earlier on the same day, a court extended the detention of two of Dayan's friends, who are now suspects in his murder, by six days. These two had been arrested after providing conflicting statements during the investigation. According to the police, Dayan had gone out with these friends on July 16 to central Israel, sending a message to his girlfriend about trouble before his phone went off and he disappeared. The group had stayed at the Bella Hotel in Tel Aviv, then went to Yarkon Park and the Yarkon River, where a fight broke out with another group. Following the altercation, Dayan and his friends left the area and later arrived at a nearby Paz gas station.

Dayan's family expressed anger at the police for not informing them about the discovery of the body before media reports. Their lawyer, Sapir Perdo, criticized the police for ignoring the family throughout the search and failing to update them despite the mother’s persistent efforts near the gas station. Earlier revelations indicated that the suspects had threatened to kill Dayan, and footage was released showing Dayan and his friends at the gas station shortly before his disappearance.

The investigation continues as authorities work to clarify the circumstances surrounding Dayan's death and the role of the suspects.