The South District police commander said Friday that 4-year-old Yuval Kogan, who went missing in Ashkelon earlier in the day, survived by staying in the shade, calling him 'a smart child' for taking shelter. The child was found safe earlier Friday afternoon.
The South District police commander confirmed Friday that 4-year-old Yuval Kogan, who was found safe earlier in the day in Ashkelon, survived by staying in the shade during the hot afternoon. The commander, in a statement published at 16:50 Jerusalem, described Yuval as "a smart child" who "stayed in the shade and that's what saved him." The confirmation came shortly after the child was located by a ZAKA volunteer on horseback, who described the rescue as a miracle.
The search for Yuval, who went missing earlier Friday, unfolded rapidly. At 16:50 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported multiple developments: Police Commissioner Danny Levi met with the child; Yuval gave his first testimony, saying he "lost my father and walked on foot"; Southern District Police Commander Haim Bublil detailed that Yuval walked toward what he thought was home, fell asleep during the night, and woke up in a shaded area, then called out to approaching horses. Simultaneously, ZAKA volunteer Noam Simchi, who located the child on horseback, told N12: "We saw him in a place where no living soul could survive, a miracle that he came out alive." The search involved police, IDF, and volunteers.
The ZAKA volunteer's account, reported by The Zioneer at 17:33 Jerusalem, reinforced the extraordinary nature of the rescue. The child's survival was attributed to his decision to stay in the shade, as per the police commander, and to the rapid response of search teams.
The exact circumstances of how Yuval became separated from his father remain under investigation, as the child's initial testimony only indicated he walked after losing his father. No further details have been released.
7 developments
- DevelopingFather of missing Ashkelon child tells Ben Gvir 'something fishy'; minister says he will meet Shin Bet chief
- StrongAshkelon mayor: 'A clear miracle' to see Yuval Kogan in his mother's arms
- DevelopingNetanyahu congratulates on safe return of Yuval Kogan, cites 'mutual responsibility'
- StrongPolice interrogate 4-year-old boy, send him to hospital
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