Liel Yahalomi
Liel Yahalomi is an Israeli citizen who, along with her mother Mali, was the subject of a high-priority international search after disappearing in Vienna in August 2026. Initially investigated as a potential security incident, the case was resolved when the pair was located in South America following a premeditated departure from Israel.
Liel Yahalomi became the subject of intense public and security interest in August 2026 following her disappearance alongside her mother, Mali Yahalomi, during a trip to Vienna. The case initially triggered a massive international search operation involving the Israel Police, the Shin Bet, the Mossad, and Austrian security services, due to concerns of a nationalistic or criminal abduction. However, as the investigation progressed, evidence emerged suggesting a voluntary and highly organized departure.
According to findings by the Israel Police's Lahav 433 unit and the Intelligence Division, the pair had planned their disappearance in advance. This included the withdrawal of approximately €14,000 and the systematic deletion of location data from their electronic devices. Investigators tracked their movement from Austria to Prague, where they reportedly purchased a mobile phone without providing identification, and then to Germany. From there, they boarded a flight to Argentina. To mislead authorities, the pair allegedly faked location data and sent a video from South America that purported to show them still in Vienna.
The search concluded on Friday, August 14, 2026, when the Israel Police confirmed that Liel and Mali had been located alive and well in South America. The operation, which involved 24/7 command centers and coordination with Europol, shifted from a rescue mission to a law enforcement matter once it was established that the disappearance was a premeditated escape. While the specific motivations for the flight remain a private matter, the case highlighted the rapid mobilization capabilities of Israeli security agencies in protecting citizens abroad.