Four-year-old Yuval Kogan has been missing since Thursday afternoon on the beach near the Hatzuk (Hofit) area of Ashkelon. His father told investigators he was walking with Yuval and his two daughters when his attention was briefly diverted; the boy disappeared. The father said the children did not enter the water. Police have consulted the Shin Bet as part of the investigation, though the agency has not formally joined, according to Israeli media.
Yuval Kogan, 4, was last seen around noon Thursday walking with his father and two sisters along the Ashkelon coastline near Hofit Beach. His father told police that he momentarily lost sight of the boy; when he turned around, the child was gone. The father stated the children did not enter the water.
Police launched an extensive ground, air, and sea search involving divers, volunteers, and the air unit. As of late evening, no central investigative lead had emerged, and police had consulted the Shin Bet as a precaution, though multiple reports (including from N12 and other outlets) noted the agency had not formally joined the investigation as of 22:00 Jerusalem.
Various volunteer search units, including the Israel Canine Unit (Yachal), also appealed for public assistance in locating the boy, who is considered at risk.
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