Large-scale search operations are underway in Ashkelon after a 4-year-old Chareidi boy, Yuval Kogan, went missing Thursday afternoon, on Tisha Bav, near Chof Hofit Beach, in an area just north of the city.

Father recounted in his police interview: “I turned my head and I didn’t see him — he just disappeared.”

Police say Kogan was last seen around 1:00 p.m. local time, reportedly on a walk with his father, before losing contact. Ashkelon police station commander Superintendent Eldad Eliashiv said the call to police came from the boy’s father, and that the child had gone missing in an open area north of the city.

The Shin Bet has joined the search effort alongside officers from Israel Police’s Southern District. Shin Bet’s involvement is notable, as usually the agency’s core mandate is counter-terrorism and internal security, and its participation in a missing-child case often signals that authorities have not ruled out abduction or hostile involvement, rather than treating this as a simple case of a toddler wandering off. Police have not publicly specified the reason for Shin Bet’s involvement.

Search teams include police aerial units, marine police, volunteers, police diving units, and additional emergency and rescue personnel, conducting extensive sweeps along the coastline and surrounding area in an effort to locate the child and ensure his safety.

Ashkelon Mayor Tomer Glam arrived at the search site, and the municipality said its emergency rescue unit “Magen,” along with municipal inspection and enforcement teams, are conducting intensive searches alongside police.

Police describe Kogan as thin-built, with brown hair, last seen wearing a green shirt.

Anyone with information is asked to call Israel Police at 100, or the Ashkelon police station directly at 08-6771440.

Klal Yisrael is asked to daven for the safe and speedy return of Yuval.

Belaaz will continue to update as more details emerge.