After Days of Desperate Searches, Body of Missing Israeli Man Discovered

Israeli police confirmed on Sunday evening that the body of 58-year-old Haim Ze’ev Julius, who had been missing since Friday, was found in Petah Tikva after hours of intensive search efforts.

Julius, a resident of Ramla, was last seen Friday morning in the city. CCTV footage later captured him near the Arnas terminal in Petah Tikva, after reportedly boarding bus line 249 from Ramla. From that moment, all traces of him vanished.

The discovery comes after a massive search operation led by the Israel Dog Unit, which announced earlier on Sunday that they had been scouring areas around Ramla, Lod, and Petah Tikva. Volunteers and police urged the public to share Julius’s photo widely in hopes of finding a lead.

On Friday, police had released his picture and personal details, appealing for public assistance in locating him. Sadly, those appeals ended with tonight’s grim announcement.

The cause of death has not yet been made public, and police have not clarified whether foul play is suspected. The case has drawn significant public attention, raising questions about safety in central Israel and the challenges families face when a loved one suddenly disappears.

For Julius’s family, who had been desperately hoping for a miracle, the news brings heartbreak and closure at once.