Students Release Red Balloons for Missing Girl Haimanut Kassao

As the school year began on Sunday, students across Israel released red balloons in a symbolic act to find Haimanut Kassao, a girl who has been missing since February 2024 and was supposed to start sixth grade. The red balloon initiative was launched by the "Bring Haimanut Home" headquarters, with red balloons globally representing kidnapped children.

In a statement, the headquarters noted that while other children excitedly returned to school, Haimanut remained captive. The Kassao family and the "Bring Haimanut Home" campaign urged Israeli children to participate by bringing a red balloon to their first day of school.

Haimanut's father, Tesfaye Kassao, described the first day of school as usually joyous but a difficult day for his family. He expressed his hope that red balloons would fill the sky, amplifying their plea for her safe return. "I want and ask that you see Haimanut everywhere," he stated, "I want the red balloons to paint the sky and make our cry heard so she returns home."

Schools like "Campus Siach" in Migdal HaEmek and Rabin High School in Tel Aviv heeded the family's request. Students and staff at "Campus Siach" released balloons, and the school's mayor, Yaki Ben Chaim, pledged the city's support and prayers for Haimanut's swift and safe return. Rabin High School students hung red balloons and photos of Haimanut on the school fence to raise awareness.

Previous reports mentioned that the Shin Bet is involved in the search for Haimanut, and that her family had demanded the case be transferred to the Shin Bet following the recovery of Mally and Liell. The family has expressed their deep distress, stating that a new sibling born is not a replacement for Haimanut.