IDF Identifies Burial Site of Soldier Missing for 78 Years from 1948 Jerusalem Convoy Battle

After 78 years of uncertainty, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have officially identified the burial site of Private Yaakov Zarhian, who was killed in a fierce 1948 battle at Sha'ar HaGai during the Harel operation supply convoys to Jerusalem. The conclusion of a 15-year investigation by the IDF's Missing Soldiers Unit confirmed that Zarhian is interred in a mass grave at the military cemetery in Kiryat Anavim, alongside seven other soldiers who fought in the same convoy. Zarhian's sisters were formally informed of the findings on April 23, 2024, by Brigadier General Edna Ilia, head of the IDF's Human Resources and Casualties Division. A state military ceremony will soon be held at Kiryat Anavim to place a memorial plaque in his honor.

Yaakov Zarhian's story is intertwined with Israel's founding history. Born in Casablanca, Morocco, he immigrated to Israel in December 1947 aboard the immigrant ship "HaPoratzim". He joined the "Sneh" training group and later enlisted in the transportation corps in April 1948, assigned as a driver in the Etzioni Brigade. On April 20, 1948, Zarhian participated in a massive convoy of about 300 vehicles and armored cars attempting to break the siege of Jerusalem. The convoy was ambushed near Sha'ar HaGai, resulting in Zarhian's death along with 13 comrades. Although buried two days later at Kiryat Anavim, the exact location of his grave remained unknown for decades.

The breakthrough came after years of meticulous research, including archival document analysis, eyewitness interviews, advanced ground surveys, and archaeological excavations at the cemetery. This comprehensive approach led investigators to conclusively locate Zarhian's resting place in a shared grave. The IDF emphasized its ongoing commitment to locating missing soldiers and providing closure to bereaved families. Zarhian's sister, Yvonne Cohen, expressed profound relief and emotion, stating that finally knowing his burial site allows her children to say Kaddish at his grave for the first time. Brigadier General Ilia described the closure as a deeply meaningful fulfillment of the IDF's moral duty to fallen soldiers and their families.