Four-year-old Yuval Kogan, who had been missing for more than 24 hours after disappearing near Hofit Beach in Ashkelon, was found alive on Friday, bringing an emotional end to a massive nationwide search operation.

Hundreds of police officers, Border Police personnel, rescue teams, volunteers, and civilians took part in the search. The Shin Bet also assisted, while Police Commissioner Daniel Levy ordered police cadets deployed to reinforce the operation.

The child was ultimately found by a civilian volunteer who said he reached the location by accident after taking a wrong turn while heading toward Nitzanim Beach.

“I took the wrong road, and suddenly I saw the child standing under a tree,” the man said. “There is a Hakadosh Baruch Hu in this world. Thank Hashem. This is the child who brought the entire country to its feet.”

Earlier in the day, Yuval’s mother, Dina Kogan, pleaded for the public’s help, saying, “We are in critical hours, and my child is in danger. Maybe this is a kidnapping. The entire country needs to be on its feet.”

According to police, Yuval was last seen Thursday at approximately 12:50 p.m. while visiting Hofit Beach with his father. After briefly losing sight of his son, the father immediately alerted authorities, launching the extensive search that ended with the child’s rescue.

Authorities have not yet released official details on Yuval’s medical condition.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)