Tragic Ending
Body Discovered in Yarkon River Amid Search for Missing Bnei Brak Teen
Israeli police and ZAKA divers recover a body from the Yarkon River amid ongoing searches for 19-year-old Eliyahu Abba Shaul of Bnei Brak, missing since Wednesday; forensic teams are examining the remains.
Israeli Police announced Sunday afternoon that a body was recovered from the Yarkon River by ZAKA divers during ongoing intensive searches in the area. The discovery comes amid a multi-day effort to locate 19-year-old Eliyahu Abba Shaul, a yeshiva student from Bnei Brak who has been missing since Wednesday evening.
The body was found as part of coordinated operations involving police, ZAKA's underwater unit, and the Fire and Rescue Service's special Lahav unit. Forensic teams are examining the remains, which will be transferred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine for identification. No further details have been released pending notification of the family.
Eliyahu Abba Shaul was last seen leaving his home on Yehuda Hanasi Street in Bnei Brak on Wednesday evening. His parents reported him missing early Thursday. On Friday night, his electric bicycle and clothing were discovered near the riverbank along Rokach Street in Ramat Gan, shifting the focus of the search to the Yarkon River and raising grave concerns for his safety. Since then, extensive searches have involved dozens of police officers, volunteers, mounted units, helicopters, drones, sonar equipment, and divers.
ZAKA reported overnight aerial scans using advanced drones to map the river, guiding Sunday's targeted efforts.
ZAKA commander Chaim Otmezgin stated: "We conducted aerial searches overnight with drones and in-depth analysis of the river path... Today we continue focused operations with divers and advanced sonar until the searches are fully exhausted."
The disappearance occurred amid severe weather from Storm Byron last week, which caused flooding and heightened risks near waterways. Police have urged the public to avoid entering the river and to report any information to authorities.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as identification is confirmed and more details emerge from official sources.
Our thoughts are with the family and the community during this difficult time.