Family of Missing Girl in Safed Welcomes Shin Bet Involvement Amid Police Criticism

Yaros Kasao, sister of the girl who disappeared about two and a half years ago in Safed, spoke out on Wednesday about the Shin Bet's recent involvement in the investigation. In an interview on Kan News Radio, she expressed frustration that the family was informed of the Shin Bet's entry into the case through the media rather than directly by authorities. She noted that the family has had almost no contact with the police and has not received updates since the case was transferred to Lahav 433, the national crime unit.

Kasao welcomed the Shin Bet's participation but insisted that the family wants the agency to take full control of the investigation, not just provide support. She sharply criticized the police's handling of the initial search efforts, contrasting it with other cases where children were found quickly due to swift and comprehensive measures like city lockdowns. She claimed that in her sister's case, the police delayed action, did not close city exits, and failed to conduct an adequate search.

She also highlighted the challenges faced by their family as new immigrants, suggesting that cultural and language barriers may have negatively affected the search efforts. Yaros recalled that her sister, Haimnot Kasao, disappeared in February 2024 at age nine while distributing flyers in residential buildings. The last known information from neighbors was that she was handing out flyers before vanishing without a trace.

The Shin Bet's full involvement was confirmed by President Isaac Herzog, who met with the family and updated them following a police request. The family continues to seek answers and hopes the investigation will intensify under the Shin Bet's leadership.