The police are conducting an extensive search today (Thursday) for Yuval Kogan, a 4-year-old Haredi boy who was last seen at 1:00 PM in the Hofit Beach area in Ashkelon - and has since disappeared.
The police are preparing for a night search. According to reports, the police have asked the Shin Bet to join the search for the ultra-Orthodox boy - but for now he is not involved in the case, because there is no fear of terrorism.
It should be emphasized that at this time, the police have stated that there is no suspicion of criminal activity.
""The father lost his son in an area north of Ashkelon," Ashkelon station commander Lieutenant Colonel Eldad Elyashiv said earlier. "This is a large, open area, with the sea to the west, Ashkelon to the south, and Nitzanim to the north. We have deployed forces with full control over this area. A helicopter and drones are in the air, and a lot of volunteers have come to help us from all the forces we know. We would be happy for any assistance that comes here.".
Participating in the search are "Israel Police forces, with the assistance of the air force, maritime policing, volunteers, divers from the police volunteer units, and other emergency and rescue agencies. The search is being conducted from the air, sea, and land, while using various operational means and conducting extensive scans along the coastal strip and its surroundings, with the aim of locating the minor and ensuring his safety.".
The police asked the public to "be vigilant," adding that "anyone who knows anything about the minor's whereabouts, or who has information that may assist in locating him, is asked to call the Israel Police hotline 100 or the Ashkelon police station at 08-6771440.".
Description of the child: thin build; brown hair; wearing a green shirt.
Channel 14 published new details about what the father said: Around 1:00 PM, Yuval's father called the police and reported that his 4-year-old son had disappeared in the area of the dunes near the northern coast of Ashkelon. The two were in the dunes between the cliff and the beach, and at some point the boy was lost to sight.
The area where the boy was reported missing includes a high cliff, a strip of dunes, and a beach below it. This is a beach that is not designated for swimming, has no lifeguard services, and no breakwaters.
Searchers have no answer to the question of whether Yuval entered the water, so the search is being conducted both on land and at sea.
""We ask that you do this in an orderly manner and maintain safety and caution rules, God forbid we run over the child while he is in the bushes," said Deputy Chief Eldad Elyashiv.
The Ashkelon Municipality said that Mayor Tomer Glam arrived at the area where the search for the child is being conducted.
The Magen Municipal Rescue Unit and municipal supervision and policing teams in combined police forces have been conducting frantic searches and extensive scans for the child in recent hours.
