Israeli Mother and Daughter Found in Argentina After Global Search

Mali and Liel Yehalomi, an Israeli mother and daughter from Modi'in, were located in Argentina following a week-long international intelligence operation. The pair had disappeared while visiting Vienna, Austria, and were found after a complex cross-continental search involving Israeli police and international agencies. The dramatic reunion occurred on a bus when an Israeli police representative in South America approached them, expressing concern and initiating questioning.

The search was directed by Israel Police Commissioner Roni Levi and led by investigators from the Lahav 433 Economic Crime Unit alongside the Israeli Police Intelligence Division. Dedicated command centers operated around the clock in Israel and abroad, utilizing extensive technological resources. Cooperation included Europol, foreign law enforcement, and international aviation and border authorities. Hundreds of investigative actions, technological tracking, and data cross-checks pinpointed their location.

The disappearance began during a birthday trip planned by Liel for Mali, starting in Prague and continuing to Vienna. Contact was lost after they were last seen leaving their accommodation and missing their return flight to Israel. Investigations revealed their last cellular signal at a Vienna train station, possible travel through Germany, and their names on a Lufthansa flight manifest to Argentina. The case also sparked financial concerns related to Mali's employer, Bank of Jerusalem, which officially denied any wrongdoing.

With the official police announcement, the operational search phase concludes, paving the way for further investigation into the circumstances of their departure and disappearance.