IDF and Mossad Recover Remains of Last Missing Soldier from 1982 Sultan Yaakov Battle

After 44 years, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Mossad successfully recovered the remains of Staff Sergeant Yehuda Katz, the last missing soldier from the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yaakov during the First Lebanon War. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the operation on Tuesday, highlighting it as a historic closure and reaffirming Israel's commitment to bringing home all missing soldiers. Katz fell in combat on June 11, 1982, during a fierce battle against Syrian forces near the village of Sultan Yaakov, which resulted in 20 Israeli fatalities and six soldiers declared missing.

Netanyahu recalled authorizing numerous covert missions over the years to locate the missing soldiers and expressed solidarity with Katz's family, noting that his parents, Sarah and Yosef, had passed away before the remains were returned. The Prime Minister emphasized the ongoing national obligation to recover all missing and captive Israeli soldiers. President Isaac Herzog also commented, calling Katz's return the closing of a "bleeding wound" and underscoring the sacred duty to never leave soldiers behind.

The IDF spokesperson detailed that the recovery was led by the Military Intelligence Directorate (AMAN) and Mossad, with identification conducted by the Military Rabbinate in cooperation with the Medical Corps and Israeli Police. This operation completes the return of all missing soldiers from the Sultan Yaakov battle, following the earlier recoveries of Staff Sergeants Zecharia Baumel in 2019 and Tzvika Feldman in 2025. Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir described the event as a significant moment for the IDF and the nation, reaffirming the enduring commitment to honor fallen soldiers and their families.