Boy who survived cable car crash in custody battle
Family members of the young orphan, who was the sole survivor of a cable car disaster in Italy, have kicked off a custody battle for him in Tel Aviv.
Six-year-old Eitan Biran lost his parents and younger brother in the cable car disaster in May, which killed 13 people.
He moved in with his paternal aunt in Italy afterwards.
But he was then flown to Israel by his maternal grandfather.
And now family members based in the two countries are in a legal battle over who should look after him.
The grandfather, Shmuel Peleg, picked him up on September 11.
The family in Italy says Peleg drove with Eitan across the nearby border to Switzerland and flew on a private jet to Israel, where the grandfather and other family members live.
They describe the trip as kidnapping and have petitioned the Israeli family court for the child's return.
This was Eitan’s aunt, Aya Biran, speaking in the courthouse:
"At this point I am just a bit worried. I want to see Eitan home as soon as possible."
Peleg has said his actions were legal and in Eitan's best interests.
He attended the hearing but did not speak to reporters.
In a joint statement, lawyers for both sides said they agreed that the child's well-being was paramount.
