Yuval’s disappearance triggered an unprecedented nationwide search effort. Hundreds of police officers, Border Police troops, volunteer rescue teams, and civilians from across Israel joined the operation. The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) also assisted in the search, while Israel Police Commissioner Daniel Levy ordered police academy cadets to be deployed to reinforce the teams combing the area.

The dramatic rescue took place after a civilian volunteer participating in the search unexpectedly came across the missing boy.

According to the man, he had not intended to search the area where Yuval was ultimately found. After accidentally taking the wrong route while driving toward Nitzanim Beach, he suddenly noticed the child standing beneath a tree.

Overcome with emotion, the man recalled the moment he found Yuval.

“I took a wrong turn, and suddenly I noticed the child standing under a tree. There is a Hakadosh Boruch Hu in this world. Thank G-d. This is a child who brought the entire country to its feet.”

He also urged the public to offer thanks for the outcome.

“Everyone should say a chapter of Tehillim or Mizmor L’sodah. We accomplished this together, through unity and unconditional love.”

Earlier Friday, before Yuval was found, his mother, Dina Kogan, made an emotional public appeal for additional volunteers to join the search effort.

“We are in critical hours and my child is in mortal danger,” she told Ynet. “Maybe this is a kidnapping. The Shin Bet and the police are not enough. The entire country needs to be on its feet.”

According to authorities, Yuval was last seen Thursday at approximately 12:50 p.m. near Hofit Beach in Ashkelon while on an outing with his father.

His father, Dmitry (“Danny”) Kogan, said he lost sight of the boy for only a few minutes. When he began searching for him and was unable to locate him, he immediately contacted police, setting in motion the massive search operation that concluded Friday with the joyful discovery of the missing child alive.