IDF Locates Grave of Soldier Missing for Nearly 78 Years in Israel

The Israel Defense Forces announced on Wednesday the discovery of the grave of fallen soldier Shlomo Haimson, who died nearly 78 years ago during an escape attempt from a British detention camp in Cyprus. After an extensive investigation, it was determined that Haimson is buried in grave number 11, row 2, in the Cyprus immigrant section of the Haifa cemetery.

Born in Romania in 1930, Haimson lost his father during World War II and immigrated to Mandatory Palestine aboard the immigrant ship Pan York, which was intercepted by British forces. He was subsequently detained in Cyprus. While in the camp, Haimson joined the "Defenders," affiliated with the Haganah, and trained to become a fighter for the IDF after Israel's establishment. In September 1948, upon learning of his daughter's birth, he attempted to escape the camp with eight others on the night of September 29-30. The group was discovered by guards who opened fire, killing Haimson and capturing the others. He was buried the next day in the Jewish cemetery in Margo, Cyprus, with an unmarked grave.

In 1970, Operation Margo brought 163 bodies from the Cyprus cemetery to Israel, but about 120 remained unidentified and were buried anonymously in a special section in Haifa. In 2010, Amir Rogel, co-founder of the Cyprus Immigrants Association, initiated a project to identify the deceased and mark their graves. It was then recognized that Haimson was an official fallen soldier, prompting efforts to locate his grave.

In 2023, the IDF's ITAN branch formed a special investigation team that analyzed global archives, collected testimonies, examined period photographs, and conducted archaeological surveys. Their findings confirmed that Haimson's remains were brought to Israel in 1970 and buried in Haifa's immigrant section. His daughter Miriam, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, living in Rio de Janeiro, were informed of the discovery in the presence of the IDF attaché in Brazil. They plan to visit Israel soon for a state military ceremony to place a memorial plaque bearing his name.

Brigadier General Edna Ilia, head of the IDF casualties division, said the emotional reunion across the ocean demonstrates that the IDF never abandons its soldiers, even after many decades. The family expressed deep gratitude to all involved, saying the identification of their father and grandfather's resting place "brings indescribable peace to our family here in Rio de Janeiro."