Tragedy in Bnei Brak: Body of Missing Yeshiva Student Eliyahu Abba Shaul Found in Yarkon River; Levaya Held Sunday Night

BNEI BRAK (VINnews)—BD’E The body of 19-year-old yeshiva student Eliyahu Abba Shaul, missing since Wednesday amid severe winter storm Byron, was recovered Sunday from the Yarkon River, bringing a tragic end to a four-day intensive search involving police, IDF units and ZAKA volunteers.

Police confirmed the body, located by ZAKA divers in Yarkon Park, was identified as Shaul’s following examination at the National Center of Forensic Medicine in Abu Kabir. The cause of death was reported as drowning.

Shaul, a resident of Bnei Brak and student at a southern Israel yeshiva, was visiting his parents when he left their home on Yehuda Hanasi Street around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday on an electric bicycle. Family members reported him missing to police early Thursday after he failed to return.

His bicycle, clothing and shoes were discovered Friday near the riverbank along Rokach Boulevard in Ramat Gan, prompting authorities to concentrate search efforts on the flooded Yarkon amid heavy rains and high waters from the storm.

The multi-agency operation included Israel Police, ZAKA search-and-rescue teams, IDF units, divers, boats, kayaks and off-road vehicles. Efforts continued around the clock despite challenging conditions.

Following identification and coordination involving ZAKA officials, forensic institute rabbi Asher Landau and community activists, the body was released for burial Sunday evening.

The levaya departed from the family’s home at 40 Yehuda Hanasi Street in Bnei Brak and proceeded to Jerusalem for interment.

Shaul, born in Bnei Brak, came from a prominent rabbinic family. He was the grandson of Rav Eliyahu Abba Shaul and great-grandson of Chacham Ben Zion Abba Shaul, author of the responsa series Ohr L’Tzion.

Baruch Dayan HaEmes.