Police, rescue services, and civilians searched throughout Thursday afternoon and into Friday for 4-year-old Yuval Kogan, who went missing on a beach in Ashkelon.

In a video posted online, Yuval’s mother Dina Kogan said: “We’ve been checking this area for almost 24 hours; it’s possible he’s not in this area. It could be that he was kidnapped, I don’t know with what motive – it could be nationalist, or maybe some psychopath took him.”

“There are police, and there are Shin Bet involved, but it’s not enough — I want everyone on their feet, I beg of you,” she said.

Kogan was last seen around 12:30 p.m. on Thursday in the area of Hofit Beach, where he was picnicking with his two sisters and father.

He was described as having a slim build and brown hair, and was wearing a green shirt at the time of his disappearance.

According to the boy’s mother, her husband was attending to their daughters for a few minutes, and then discovered Yuval was gone.

She said he was unlikely to have gone into the water, noting he is afraid of the sea.

Among those operating to find the boy were the Israel Police, the Shin Bet, and Fire and Rescue Services, using means including a helicopter and divers.

In a statement Friday, police said Commissioner Daniel Levy had been in continuous overnight contact with Southern........

© The Times of Israel