Syrian Officer Claims Eli Cohen Buried Near Damascus Barracks

The remains of Israeli spy Eli Cohen may be buried near a military barracks on the outskirts of Damascus, according to a Syrian security services officer. Saeed Jawish, speaking to Al Majalla magazine, stated that he participated in Cohen's arrest and that he and other officers debated where to bury him to prevent Israel from recovering the body.

Jawish recounted that an official named Adnan Tayara suggested burying Cohen at the entrance of a barracks already under permanent guard, which would negate the need for a dedicated guard for the grave. However, Jawish admitted he does not know which specific barracks was chosen, noting there were several options. He believes a Syrian soldier named Melhem Qassem, who allegedly witnessed the burial, would know the exact location.

Eli Cohen, a Mossad agent who operated in Syria under the alias Kamel Amin Thabet, was arrested in January 1965 and publicly hanged in Damascus on May 18, 1965, for espionage. Syria has never returned his body, and it is believed to have been moved multiple times to prevent its recovery by Israel.

Previous reports have suggested potential returns of Cohen's remains. About a year prior to Jawish's testimony, Saudi channel Al-Hadath mentioned a possible handover as part of an agreement with Syria, following the Mossad's recovery of documents related to Cohen. Reuters also reported that Syrian leaders had approved the return of his body to ease tensions with Israel and demonstrate goodwill, particularly towards the Trump administration.