Mossad Joins Search for Missing Israelis

The Austrian investigation has been transferred to senior levels within the Vienna police department. In Israel, Police Commissioner Danny Levy ordered the case transferred to Lahav 433, the Israeli police's major crimes unit.

Intelligence checks have been conducted to determine whether an Iranian or pro-Palestinian entity might be behind the disappearance. According to current assessments, these checks have not yielded findings that support such a scenario. Efforts are focused in part on attempting to trace the women's location through cellular data, and hospitals in the area have been checked to ensure the two were not admitted as unidentified patients.

The Yahalomi family provided detailed testimony to Lahav 433, Israel's national fraud investigation unit, overnight Wednesday, transferring all available information and findings to investigators. In a sharply worded statement, the family criticized reports attributed to Israeli police spokespersons.

"The Yahalomi family views with great severity the briefings and publications disseminated in recent hours in the name of sources in the Israel Police spokesperson's unit, which create a public impression as if a conclusion has already been established regarding the circumstances of Mali and Liel's disappearance," the statement read.

This follows a dramatic development Wednesday evening: police checks indicated the mother and daughter may not have been abducted, but possibly left of their own accord. According to these findings, days before their disappearance, location data was deliberately deleted from their mobile phones, and investigators are examining whether they withdrew a large sum of cash in advance.

The family stated that some information published by police was never presented to them, and they possess information that substantially contradicts claims made in the reports. The family emphasized that the sudden loss of contact on Friday evening was abrupt and unusual: "There is no basis to rule out an incident with a nationalist motive."

Against the backdrop of these developments, shares of Bank Yerushalayim—where Mali worked—suffered a sharp blow on the stock exchange Thursday. At the trading day's peak, the stock fell an unusual 12.39%, as speculation surrounding the case created turmoil among investors.

Alongside growing concerns, various rumors began circulating following her senior position as a manager in the bank's oversight and financial transfers department. However, police sources clarified that Lahav 433's involvement does not necessarily indicate criminal or financial wrongdoing, but stems from the unit's extensive experience managing complex overseas investigations and its ongoing relationships with international law enforcement agencies.

Bank management quickly issued a reassuring statement. "Following an examination that was conducted, no findings were discovered indicating irregular activities or embezzlement of customer funds. Customer funds are safe and protected," Bank Yerushalayim stated.

One central aspect heightening the mystery is the pair's typical behavior. Both are Sabbath-observant women who regularly travel worldwide while maintaining close, well-maintained contact with family members. The last documentation from them was sent shortly before Shabbat, showing them appearing happy and content in the studio apartment they rented in Vienna's fourth district, with no suspicious signs.

Questions intensified after the last cellular location ping for their devices was traced to a public park near Vienna's central train station. The fact that the devices were activated or located during the Sabbath, combined with the apartment's distance from the community center and movement on the Sabbath itself, raises significant puzzlement among those handling the case.

Investigators are now examining all data and findings through cooperation between Israeli security officials, Austrian police, and Vienna's Jewish community. All investigative avenues are being pursued with utmost seriousness.