Yuval Kogan, the 4-year-old boy who went missing Thursday near Hof Hofit Beach in Ashkelon, was Baruch Hashem located alive and well Friday afternoon after more than a day of intensive searching.

The search effort drew hundreds of police officers, volunteers, Border Police fighters, rescue units, and citizens from across the country, with the Shin Bet assisting as well. Police Commissioner Rav-Nitzav Dani Levi ordered police academy cadets deployed to reinforce search teams in the field.

Yuval was ultimately found by a civilian who had come to the area to join the search. The man said he hadn’t even intended to reach the spot where the child was found, he had taken a wrong turn en route to Nitzanim Beach when he suddenly noticed the boy standing beneath a tree.

Overcome with emotion, he said: “I took a wrong turn, and suddenly I see the boy standing under a tree. Hashem is in this world. Thank G-d. This is a child who brought the whole country to its feet.” He added a call to the public: “Everyone should say a perek of Tehillim or Mizmor L’Todah. We did this together, with unity and ahavat chinam.”

The commander of the Southern District said agter the child was located: “The actual distance was shorter than it seemed. The boy walked toward what he thought was home. During the night he fell asleep, and woke up in the morning. He’s a smart child who stayed in a shaded spot, which is likely what saved him. When he heard the horses approaching, he went toward them and called out — that’s how he was found.”

Earlier Friday, Yuval’s mother, Dina Kogan, had appealed to the public to join the search, telling Ynet: “We’re in critical hours and my child’s life is in danger. This may be an abduction. Shin Bet and police alone aren’t enough — the whole country needs to be on its feet.”

According to details released, Yuval was last seen Thursday at 12:50 p.m. near Hof Hofit Beach while walking with his father. His father, Dmitry (Dani) Kogan, said he lost eye contact with him for a few minutes and was unable to locate him afterward. Police launched the search operation shortly after being called, which concluded Friday with the child’s safe recovery.