Officer Recounts Finding Missing Pair

Kogan described the moments when he received focused intelligence about their location: "When I understood that the missing persons had arrived in Argentina, I conducted rapid investigative work. I realized they were traveling outside Buenos Aires. I traveled operationally together with colleagues from the Argentine police and Interpol—and I reached the missing persons. I identified myself to them, verified that their lives were not in danger, and that no criminal offense had been committed."

Previously released footage captured the dramatic moment of contact on the bus, with Kogan heard addressing the two directly: "Hi Mally, hi Liel, I'm Walter, the police representative in South America, okay? From the Intelligence Division of Israel Police. I want to ask you a few questions. We were very worried about you, okay? I'm going to have everyone get off the bus and then we'll talk, okay?"

The complex operation involved additional forces, coordinated by the Operations Implementation Department within the Intelligence Division. According to police sources, multiple command centers were established around the world during the operation under the direction of Police Commissioner Danny Levy, with cooperation from Europol. Officials noted that "300 investigators worked around the clock" as part of the effort to locate them.

In a private conversation reported by Kan News, the senior officer revealed the complex emotions that accompanied the conclusion of the week-long operation. "They were certain we wouldn't catch them and wouldn't find them," Kogan said of the two who had been declared missing in Vienna, Austria. The officer described the enormous relief he felt when he located them last Friday, healthy and safe.

Kogan acknowledged being completely surprised by the intensity of public interest and the amount of media coverage the footage from the moment of discovery received. "I'm in shock from the extensive media response," the officer noted, explaining that from his perspective and that of the police system, it was simply determined execution of a professional mission.

A preliminary investigation conducted at the scene revealed that the two had planned their disappearance in advance due to personal circumstances related to financial matters. Cell phone correspondence between mother and daughter showed that Liel had joined the plan of her own free will, writing to her mother: "I'll go with you anywhere." After being questioned by Argentine police representatives in the presence of the Israeli police representative, they were released because no suspicion of criminal activity arose.

Kogan summarized the successful operation: "At the end of the day, all's well that ends well, and that's what matters." Deputy Commissioner Kogan, who previously lived in Be'er Sheva, served until several years ago as the investigations and intelligence officer at the Arad police station with the rank of Chief Inspector, before being promoted to Deputy Commissioner and appointed as Israel Police's representative in Latin America. In his previous role in Arad, he distinguished himself in handling complex property crimes, including investigating break-ins at the Melos Hotel rooms at the Dead Sea and break-ins at Gur Hasidic synagogues in the city.