IDF and Mossad Recover Remains of Soldier Yehuda Katz After Four Decades

The remains of Yehuda Katz, an IDF soldier who fell in the Battle of Sultan Yaakov over 40 years ago, have been located and brought back to Israel in a joint operation led by the Military Intelligence Directorate (AMAN) and the Mossad. The recovery was the result of extensive intelligence and operational efforts spanning more than four decades, involving close cooperation between the Prime Minister's Office coordinators, Mossad, AMAN, the Shin Bet, and the IDF's Personnel Directorate. After the remains arrived in Israel, identification was conducted at the Military Rabbinate's identification center with the assistance of the Medical Corps and the Israel Police. Katz's family was kept informed throughout the years about ongoing efforts to locate and return him, though sadly his parents, Sarah and Yosef Katz, did not live to receive the news.

This operation completes the mission to return all missing soldiers from the Battle of Sultan Yaakov, following the earlier recoveries of Staff Sergeants Zecharia Baumel in 2019 and Tzvika Feldman in 2025. IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir described the return of Katz as a significant moment for the IDF and Israel, emphasizing the enduring commitment to never leave soldiers behind. He stated, "Today we return Yehuda to the soil of Israel, to his family and to our country, closing a painful circle that began more than four decades ago. The memory of the fighters who fell at Sultan Yaakov will remain a permanent part of the IDF's heritage and our commitment to future generations." The IDF and Mossad expressed condolences to Katz's family and reaffirmed their ongoing efforts to recover all missing soldiers.