Israeli Mother and Daughter Found in Argentina After Planned Disappearance Amid Financial Troubles

Two days after Israeli mother Mally and daughter Lial Yahalomi were found on a train in Argentina, new details emerged about their disappearance. Authorities revealed that the pair had planned their escape for months, with the daughter helping to create a cover story claiming the trip was a surprise to avoid detection. Investigations showed that the mother had withdrawn compensation funds from a bank two years earlier, and police believe their intended final destination was Bolivia.

The women were located in Buenos Aires after a week of intensive searching following their disappearance in Vienna, where they had lost contact with family. Video footage from their discovery shows an Israeli police officer speaking to them in Hebrew before they were taken off a bus and questioned. During interrogation, it was disclosed that their disappearance was likely motivated by financial debts. They traveled from Austria to the Czech Republic, switched off their phones, bought new ones, and flew to South America.

The search involved cooperation with Europol and other international law enforcement agencies. The Yahalomi family announced that all public donations collected during the search will be refunded. They expressed immense relief at the safe recovery of Mally and Lial and thanked the Israeli public, police, the Vienna consulate, the Magen company, and rescue friends for their support and concern.