Body of Missing Israeli Writer Michal Peleg Found in Crete After Five-Day Search

The body of Michal Peleg, a 65-year-old Israeli writer, was discovered today off the northern coast of Crete, ending a five-day search that gripped her family and friends. Peleg, who had been reported missing since Wednesday, June 4, was believed to have fallen to her death during a solo hike near her temporary home in the village of Kavusi, eastern Crete. She had been renting an apartment on the island for several months to work on a new book and was scheduled to return to Israel on the day her body was found. “We were all eagerly awaiting her return this week, and then we received the devastating news,” said Yoav, a close family member.

Peleg’s disappearance was reported to Greek authorities on Thursday after she failed to respond to local friends and contacts in Israel, prompting an extensive search operation. A specialized team from Israel’s Harel 669 rescue unit, consisting of three professionals, joined Greek police, coast guard, firefighters, and local volunteers in the effort. The search focused on coastal and mountainous areas around Kavusi, where Peleg was known to enjoy hiking and swimming. Her family noted that her rented home remained orderly, with her passport, wallet, and laptop untouched, alongside freshly baked cookies and an unfinished puzzle, indicating she had planned to return soon.

Born in Haifa in 1959, Peleg was a celebrated artist, journalist, and author who lived in Ethiopia during her childhood due to her parents’ diplomatic posting. A former correspondent for Israeli newspapers in Italy, she also lectured at Bezalel Academy of Arts and published essays in Haaretz. Her family suspects she slipped from a cliff during her hike, a tragic accident in an area known for its rugged terrain. The Greek police are conducting a post-mortem to confirm the cause of death, while Peleg’s loved ones mourn the loss of a vibrant, adventurous soul whose legacy lives on through her literary contributions.