"As if the earth swallowed him": Mother of 4-year-old missing in Ashkelon claims kidnapping
The extensive search operation for Yuval Kogan continues since yesterday afternoon with grave concern for his fate. His mother claims that police searches are focusing only on the beach area and demands the involvement of the Shin Bet in investigating the possibility of his involvement in his disappearance.
There is a real concern for the life of 4-year-old Yuval Kogan from Ashkelon, who went missing after he was last seen in the area of the "Hofit" beach. Volunteers from the police canine unit and many other forces have been continuing the search for him since yesterday.
Dina, the child's mother, stated:
"I am begging to expand the search to include kidnapping. This is a matter of life and death. More forces and more people are needed here to help search beyond the area that is already being searched."
According to her, Yuval and his two sisters were on a picnic at the beach with their father, when after a few minutes of inattention, the child disappeared "as if the earth had swallowed him."
The mother said she fears that the police are not taking into account the scenario of a kidnapping, and is demanding the involvement of the Shin Bet in locating her son. "There are no cameras in the beach area. There is a single camera in the area of the road near the school, so we cannot be sure that no one passed by. The child does not know how to swim and is quite afraid of the water, so I am not worried about drowning."
The Israel Police is once again appealing to the public for assistance in distributing Kogan's photo, and asks anyone who knows anything about his whereabouts to update them. Kogan's description: thin build, brown hair, and he was wearing a green shirt at the time of his disappearance.
Mayor Tomer Glam arrived at the area where the searches are being conducted. The Ashkelon Municipality stated: "Anyone who knows anything about his whereabouts is requested to notify the Israel Police immediately. We are all in great prayer for his discovery and his return to the bosom of his family. Good news, with the help of God."
The extensive search operation is being conducted simultaneously from the air, from the sea, and on land:
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At sea: Marine police teams and divers from the police volunteer units are scanning the coastal and deep waters.
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In the air: Helicopters from the Israel Police air unit are performing observations and scans.
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On land: Police forces and volunteer foot patrols are scanning section by section along the coastline and in the adjacent areas, using advanced operational and technological means.
