Missing Israeli tourist's body found on Mount Olympus after weeks of searching by Israeli team

After nearly three weeks of searching, the body of missing Israeli tourist Ami Yogev, 46, was found on Mount Olympus by a team from the rescue organization Haverim Mechaltzim. The breakthrough came when a rescuer spotted an Israeli passport. Greek teams had previously searched the same area but missed the body due to difficult terrain. The discovery ended a search involving 35 people and 740 person-hours.

After nearly three weeks of searching, the body of missing Israeli tourist Ami Yogev, 46, was located on Mount Olympus in Greece on Friday by a team from the rescue organization Haverim Mechaltzim. Yogev had been missing since September 20. The four Israeli rescuers searched mountain streambeds, navigating cliffs, waterfalls, and dense vegetation requiring climbing equipment. The breakthrough came when one rescuer spotted an Israeli passport; Yogev's personal belongings were found nearby, and his body was discovered concealed by vegetation. Greek rescue teams had previously searched the same area but failed to locate the body due to the difficult terrain. Following the discovery, Israeli rescuers joined Greek personnel in a complex recovery operation lasting several hours. The search was initiated after Sivan Zamir, from the Greece and the Islands website, called for help. Behind the rescue team was an extensive support network operated by Haverim Mechaltzim, part of the Gvanim nonprofit organization, including command centers in Israel and Greece, technology experts, and logistical support. The organization reported that 12 search and support groups were involved, with approximately 35 people actively participating and an estimated 740 person-hours contributed. Each of the four rescuers spent about 50 hours searching before the body was found. Yiftach Shavit, head of rescue operations, expressed shared grief with the family and praised the rescuers' determination and professionalism.