Family of Fallen Soldier Yehuda Katz Criticizes IDF Over Sultan Yaakov Battle Handling

Prachia Heyman, sister of Yehuda Katz, the last missing soldier from the 1979 Sultan Yaakov battle recently returned to Israel after 44 years, spoke out on Kan News about the emotional impact and criticized the IDF and media response. She described the shock and mixed feelings when the family was informed of Katz's death, contrasting the public's celebratory messages with their own long-held hope that he was alive. Heyman explained that conclusive evidence confirming Katz's death only emerged in the last ten days after meticulous recovery efforts at the tank site, likening the process to archaeological work.

Heyman also condemned the media for prematurely referring to her brother as fallen, despite the family still processing the findings alongside military officials. She accused the IDF of abandoning six soldiers during the battle and failing to take responsibility, which she believes marked a turning point in military conduct. "If they had taken responsibility then, maybe we wouldn't have reached October 7," she said, referencing the recent Hamas attack.

Yehuda Katz was buried last week at Mount of Olives Cemetery in Jerusalem. His brother Avi Katz recalled their father’s painful words upon learning Yehuda was missing: "Auschwitz has not ended." Avi emphasized that Yehuda's story is not just personal but represents the broader Israeli experience. The article also notes the recent return of other remains from the Sultan Yaakov battle, including those of Zechariah Oml and Zvi Feldman from Syria.