Israeli Mother and Daughter Found Safe in South America After International Search

Mali Yahilomi, 50, and her daughter Liel, 23, who had been missing since last week, were located safe in South America following a multi-country police operation. Israeli police announced on Friday that the search spanned several continents and involved cooperation with international law enforcement agencies. Investigators concluded that the disappearance was premeditated, likely motivated by debts the two had accumulated in Israel.

The investigation revealed that before leaving Israel, Mali and Liel had prepared extensively, including purchasing a new mobile phone in the Czech Republic without identification to avoid detection. They then traveled to Vienna, where they disabled location services on their previous phones and activated the new device. From Europe, they flew to Argentina and were eventually found on a bus heading to Buenos Aires. Israeli police confirmed that Buenos Aires was not necessarily their final destination.

The breakthrough came through advanced technological tracking of the new phone. An Israeli police representative in Latin America boarded the bus, confirmed their wellbeing, and then allowed them to continue their journey. Since no criminal activity was suspected and both are adults who left voluntarily, the police had no grounds to detain them.

Throughout the search, family, friends, and former intelligence and cyber unit members assisted alongside the police. The operation was led by the Israeli Police Intelligence Division, Lahav 433, and the National Unit for Combating Economic Crime, under Police Commissioner Dany Levi. Contrary to some reports, the Mossad was not involved, though terrorism-related scenarios were initially considered and ruled out.

Prior to their discovery, Austrian police confirmed the women left Austria voluntarily. The Yahilomi family expressed immense relief and gratitude to the Israeli police, the Vienna consulate, and all who helped in the search. They also announced that public funds raised for the search would be returned. The family requested continued support and urged authorities to keep investigating all possibilities until the full circumstances of the disappearance are clarified.

A gag order remains in place on investigation details, and the case continues under Lahav 433's supervision. The family provided testimony and information to investigators, noting some discrepancies between police statements and their knowledge of the case.