IDF Identifies Soldier Missing for 78 Years From 1948 Harel Operation

The Israel Defense Forces announced the identification of Private Yaakov Zrihan, a soldier missing for 78 years since the 1948 Harel Operation. After a 15-year investigation by the Missing Persons Unit, Zrihan was found buried in a mass grave at the Kiryat Anavim military cemetery alongside seven other soldiers who participated in the same convoy. His sister, Yvonne Cohen, expressed profound relief, saying, "For me, finding his burial place means the world; I will call my sons so they can say Kaddish at his grave for the first time."

Yaakov Zrihan immigrated to Israel in December 1947 from Casablanca, Morocco, aboard the immigrant ship "HaPoretzim." He joined the "Sneh" training group at Kibbutz Ramat HaKovesh and enlisted in the IDF on April 12, 1948, serving as a driver in the "Etzioni" Brigade's transport unit. On April 20, 1948, he took part in a convoy of about 300 vehicles and armored vehicles heading to Jerusalem during the Harel Operation. Zrihan was killed in combat near Sha'ar HaGai along with 13 comrades and was buried on April 22 at the Kiryat Anavim military cemetery.

The IDF formed a special investigative team in 2024 that conducted extensive research, including document analysis, witness interviews, terrain surveys, and archaeological studies, confirming Zrihan's burial site. The family was informed of the findings by Brigadier General Edna Ilia, head of the Human Resources and Casualties Division. A state military ceremony will soon be held to place a gravestone in his honor at Kiryat Anavim, closing a 78-year chapter. Ilia remarked, "It is our moral duty to bring closure and support to bereaved families."

Summary: The IDF has located the burial site of Private Yaakov Zrihan, missing since 1948, after a 15-year investigation, and will hold a military ceremony to honor him at Kiryat Anavim cemetery.

Points: - IDF identifies Private Yaakov Zrihan, missing since 1948 Harel Operation, after 78 years. - Zrihan was found in a mass grave at Kiryat Anavim with seven other soldiers. - Investigation spanned 15 years, involving documents, witness interviews, and archaeological surveys. - Zrihan immigrated from Morocco in 1947 and served as a driver in the Etzioni Brigade. - Family received official notification; a military gravestone ceremony is planned soon. - Brig. Gen. Edna Ilia emphasized the IDF's commitment to supporting bereaved families.

Topic: security

Entities: {"people": ["Yaakov Zrihan", "Yvonne Cohen", "Edna Ilia"], "organizations": ["Israel Defense Forces", "Etzioni Brigade", "Missing Persons Unit"], "places": ["Kiryat Anavim", "Jerusalem", "Casablanca", "Morocco", "Sha'ar HaGai", "Kibbutz Ramat HaKovesh"]}