First publication: Dramatic development in the case of the last missing soldier from the Battle of Sultan Yacoub
A finding has been brought to Israel and is currently being examined; it is assessed to belong to the late Yehuda Katz, the last missing soldier from the battle during the First Lebanon War.
The defense establishment is in contact with the family of the late Yehuda Katz, as it verifies whether a recent finding belongs to him. He is the last missing person from the battle that took place during the First Lebanon War. In recent years, the bodies of the late Zvi Feldman and the late Zechariah Baumel, who were also missing from the same battle, have been returned.
A finding has arrived in Israel and is currently being examined; the assessment is that it belongs to the late Yehuda Katz, the last missing person from the Battle of Sultan Yacoub. This is reported this morning, Tuesday, for the first time. The entire defense establishment is in contact with his family to verify the information. Katz (of blessed memory) fell in the battle that took place in June 1982 during the First Lebanon War in the area of the village of Sultan Yacoub.
In May 2025, the body of the late Staff Sergeant Zvi Feldman, who also fell in the same battle 43 years ago, was returned to Israel. His body was recovered in a special operation by the Mossad and the IDF in Syria.
In a joint statement issued at the time, the Mossad and IDF spokespersons confirmed that in a special operation led by the IDF and Mossad, the body of the late Staff Sergeant Zvika Feldman was located deep in Syria and returned to Israel. After its return, it was identified at the Genomic Center for the Identification of Fallen Soldiers of the Military Rabbinate, and notification was given to his family by the IDF in the presence of the Prime Minister.
Seven years ago, the body of the late Zechariah Baumel was also returned to Israel in an operation by the Intelligence Directorate. His body was brought to the country through a third country and identified at Abu Kabir by the institute's staff and the Chief Military Rabbi's staff.
"Throughout all these years, the state has invested enormous efforts in returning the missing from the Battle of Sultan Yacoub, and the remains of Zechariah that were brought to the country were identified with certainty," said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the return of the soldier's body.
