IDF Identifies Burial Site of 1948 Fallen Soldier Shlomo Haimson After 78 Years

Shlomo Haimson, an IDF soldier who was killed in 1948 while attempting to escape a British detention camp in Cyprus, has had his burial site identified nearly 78 years after his death. Haimson was shot by guards at the Karaolos camp during an escape attempt on the night of September 29-30, 1948, after learning of his daughter's birth. He was initially buried in the Jewish cemetery in Margo, Cyprus, but his grave remained unmarked due to lack of identification.

Born in Romania in 1930, Haimson immigrated to the British Mandate of Palestine aboard the illegal immigrant ship Pan York, which was intercepted and its passengers detained in Cyprus. While in the camp, he joined the Haganah-affiliated defenders and trained to become a fighter for the future IDF. After Israel's establishment, his mother and partner were released and settled in Israel, but Haimson remained in the camp until his fatal escape attempt.

In 1970, as part of Operation Margo, remains of detainees were transferred to Israel and reburied in a special section for Cyprus immigrants at the Kfar Samir cemetery in Haifa, mostly unidentified. In 2010, efforts began to identify these graves, and Haimson was recognized as a fallen soldier. A special investigative team formed in 2023 conducted archival research, testimonies, photo analysis, and archaeological surveys, concluding that Haimson's remains were reburied in grave number 11, row 2, in the Cyprus immigrants' section in Haifa.

The IDF’s Personnel Directorate approved placing a headstone with his name. His family, including his daughter Miriam and descendants living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were informed of the discovery in a ceremony attended by IDF representatives. Brigadier General Edna Ilia emphasized the army's enduring moral commitment to its fallen soldiers. A state military ceremony will soon be held in Haifa to honor Haimson and officially mark his grave.

Summary: After nearly 78 years, the IDF located the burial site of Shlomo Haimson, a soldier killed in 1948 while escaping a British detention camp in Cyprus. His remains were reburied in Haifa in 1970, and a recent investigation confirmed his grave location, allowing his family to be notified and plans for a formal military ceremony in Israel.

Points: - Shlomo Haimson was killed in 1948 escaping a British detention camp in Cyprus. - His remains were reburied in Haifa in 1970 among Cyprus immigrant detainees. - A 2023 investigation confirmed his exact grave location in Haifa. - IDF approved placing a headstone with his name on the grave. - His family in Brazil was informed during a ceremony with IDF officials. - A state military ceremony will be held soon in Israel to honor him.

Topic: security israel_relevant: true entities: {"people": ["Shlomo Haimson", "Miriam Haimson", "Edna Ilia", "Uri Ron"], "organizations": ["IDF", "Haganah", "British Mandate", "Israeli Defense Forces"], "places": ["Cyprus", "Haifa", "Margo", "Kfar Samir", "Rio de Janeiro", "Romania", "Israel"]}