An unnamed senior police officer says that it is still not known why Mali and Liel Yahalomi, who were last seen a week ago in Vienna and were found yesterday in Argentina, had left the country.
The disappearance of the two had set off a flurry of speculation and rumors and a major international investigation.
“Even now, and despite the questioning, the motive for Mali and Liel Yahalomi’s departure from the country is unclear,” the law enforcement official tells the Ynet news site.
Yesterday, police published footage showing officers, among them representatives from Israel and Interpol, boarding a bus in Argentina and introducing themselves to the Yahalomis, who appeared confused by the situation, but unharmed.
It was not immediately clear why the two cut contact with their family last Friday in Vienna, or why they flew to Argentina without telling anyone. A Haaretz report quoted a police source saying they had left Israel and made their way to Argentina to disappear and “start a new life.” Other Hebrew media reports claimed they were fleeing mounting debts in Israel.
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From the Liveblog of
Saturday, August 15, 2026
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