FOUND ALIVE: Missing Mother and Daughter Located in Argentina After Weeklong International Search

Israeli authorities confirmed that missing mother and daughter Mali and Liel Yahalomi have been found alive in Argentina, concluding a week-long international search across multiple countries. Law enforcement determined the pair had departed Israel voluntarily and were traced to a bus in Buenos Aires following coordinated investigative work by Israeli and overseas agencies.

The Israel Police confirmed the two women, missing since the previous Friday, were located safely. Police released video footage showing Mali and Liel aboard a bus in Buenos Aires.

"The Israel Police, in full cooperation with all security agencies and relevant entities in Israel and abroad, operated over the past few days in an extensive and focused effort to locate the missing women," The Israel Police said. Under direction of Police Commissioner Danny Levy, police operations led by Lahav 433 and the Police Intelligence Division maintained 24/7 command centers in Israel and overseas, deploying all available resources and executing hundreds of investigative actions.

"Following extensive efforts and joint cooperation among all agencies, including Europol and additional foreign law enforcement organizations, the missing women were located. The Israel Police expresses its gratitude to all partners in Israel and abroad for their cooperation and assistance throughout the search efforts," The statement concluded.

A senior police official told media that investigators reconstructed the women's movements and identified the specific bus they were traveling on. Authorities quickly determined the departure was voluntary with no apparent signs of criminal activity, though confirmation of their safety required in-person contact.

After verifying the mother and daughter were unharmed and not victims of crime, investigators closed the case. With no legal grounds for detention, police allowed them to continue their journey.

According to the official, accumulated financial debts prompted the women to leave Israel.

The Yahalomi family stated afterward, "Above all, the family feels immense relief that Mali and Liel have been located and are alive." The family thanked the Israeli public, the Israel Police, the Israeli Consul in Vienna, Magen Search and Rescue, and rescue team members.

Austrian authorities announced the pair had departed Vienna independently after it was confirmed as their last known location. Israeli media reported they subsequently traveled by train through Germany before flying to Argentina.

During the search, family members urged security officials to pursue all possible explanations, requesting authorities continue examining "all potential scenarios, including the possibility of a terror-related motive, until it is definitively ruled out based on concrete findings."

Surveillance footage obtained during the investigation showed Mali and Liel leaving their Vienna apartment building carrying their belongings, with no one accompanying them.