Ashkelon police station commander Superintendent Eldad Eliashiv said Sunday that the investigation into the disappearance of 4-year-old Yuval Kogan has definitively ruled out all conspiracy theories. In an interview, Eliashiv stated that the child walked alone, heard search helicopters and jeeps, spent the night under a tree, and was not abducted or coached.
In a Sunday morning interview on 103FM, Ashkelon police station commander Superintendent Eldad Eliashiv directly addressed lingering public speculation about the disappearance of 4-year-old Yuval Kogan, confirming that the child walked alone, spent the night under a tree, and heard search helicopters and jeeps. Eliashiv stated that the investigation's questions were designed to definitively eliminate all conspiracy theories, which he dismissed as baseless. This update comes after a series of police statements over the weekend.
On Friday, the day of the search and rescue, police reported that Yuval had walked approximately 4 km alone, his testimony was found credible by a child investigator, and all criminal suspicion was ruled out. Southern District Police Commander Haim Bublil said the child walked toward what he thought was home, fell asleep during the night, and was found after hearing horses and calling out to them. A ZAKA volunteer on horseback described the location as a miracle. The Zioneer reported on the massive search operation involving the IDF, police, and volunteers, as well as the family's concerns. By Saturday night, police formally denied abduction rumors, stating the child's testimony was credible and that he was not coached.
Background reports from The Zioneer noted that the father had told National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir that "there is something fishy," and that the search involved advanced scanning ships, the Shin Bet, and even the Mossad. An emergency call recording from the moment of the child's location was also released.
The police chief's statement appears aimed at countering persistent social media conspiracy theories, but the investigation has been closed with no criminal suspicion.
11 developments
- DevelopingFather of missing Ashkelon child tells Ben Gvir 'something fishy'; minister says he will meet Shin Bet chief
- DevelopingAdvanced scanning ship joins search for missing 4-year-old Yuval Kogan in Ashkelon
- StrongAshkelon mayor: 'A clear miracle' to see Yuval Kogan in his mother's arms
- DevelopingFirst recording of emergency call that found Ashkelon child Yuval Kogan released
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