IDF and Mossad Return Remains of Yehuda Katz After 44 Years for Jerusalem Military Burial

The funeral of Yehuda Katz, the last missing soldier from the Battle of Sultan Yaakov during the 1982 Lebanon War, will take place this Friday. His remains were recently recovered in a special operation conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Mossad. Katz's funeral procession will begin at Karem B'Yavneh Yeshiva, where he studied before his enlistment, and proceed to the military section of the Mount of Olives Cemetery in Jerusalem.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the recovery on Tuesday, marking a historic closure to a painful chapter in Israeli military history. Katz fell in the June 1982 battle and had been missing for 44 years. Netanyahu emphasized his long-standing commitment to locating the missing soldiers from Sultan Yaakov, stating, "I promised their families we would never stop working to bring them home. Today, all of Israel embraces the Katz family."

Netanyahu also acknowledged the late parents of Yehuda Katz, Sarah and Yosef, who had tirelessly sought his return but passed away before this moment. He addressed Yehuda’s siblings, Avie and Perahia, saying, "We return to you, Yehuda dear, and to the land of Israel that he so loved." This event represents a significant emotional and historical milestone for the families and the nation.

The operation and funeral underscore Israel’s ongoing dedication to recovering its fallen soldiers and honoring their memory decades after conflict.