At the same time as this week’s much publicised release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander after 19 months captivity in Gaza, Israel quietly brought home another soldier who went missing 43 years ago.
Sgt. First Class Zvi Feldman was an Israeli tank commander who disappeared in 1982 during the Battle of Sultan Yacoub, a sub-theatre of the First Lebanon War.
He was presumed captured and most likely killed by enemy forces, but for years, Israel had few clues to his whereabouts.
He was one of three Israeli soldiers reported missing after the battle.
The remains of Sgt. First Class Zachary Baumel were returned with Russian assistance in 2019.
The third soldier, Sgt. First Class Yehuda Katz, is still unaccounted for.
ISRAEL NEVER STOPPED HUNTING FOR ZVI FELDMAN
Israel’s intelligence apparatus never stopped hunting for Zvi and Yehuda and came upon information that pointed to Zvi being buried in a graveyard “in the heart of Syria.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and intelligence agency Mossad undertook a five-month covert operation deploying non-Israeli agents to eventually return and confirm his remains.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally notified the Feldman family of the development.
Zvi was laid to rest this week at Holon Military Cemetery, bringing closure to a decades-long national and personal tragedy.
At the funeral, his sister Anat spoke emotionally about her brother’s dedication to his country.
She described his return as a moment of deep pride and sorrow, calling him “a warrior who died defending our people.”
WHY RISK LIVES TO REPATRIATE A SOLDIER WHO DIED FOUR DECADES AGO?
Jerusalem-based speechwriter and media consultant Naftali Shavelson writes in the Daily Signal: “To outsiders, this story is confusing and a little strange. Why risk the lives of dozens of elite commandos to repatriate the body of a soldier who died over four decades ago?”
“This is a textbook manifestation of Israel’s reason for being and its rallying cry.”
“In a world where anti-Semitism never quite seems to go away, the sole Jewish state recognises that it is tasked with a divine mission: not only to be a refuge and homeland for Jewish people, but to be their defender even outside its borders.”
“To go to unbelievable lengths to protect them and bring them home.”
“Never, ever to give up on anyone.”
“FOR ISRAEL, DEFENDING ITS PEOPLE IS AN OBSESSION AND A SACRED DUTY
A senior Israeli official said Zvi Feldman’s return “proves that even 43 years after a soldier falls, Israel does not abandon the mission.”
Naftali Shavelson observes: “I can think of few other countries that would do the same.”
“For Israel, defending its people is an obsession and a sacred duty. It will never sleep.”
“And just when you think it may have forgotten, it will go to the ends of the earth to bring its children home.”
“IN ISRAEL NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND”
The Hostages Forum which represents the majority of relatives of those held captive in Gaza, welcomes the return of the fallen Zvi Feldman, while calling for the return of the remaining hostages, living and dead.
“His return is a moral, ethical and national reminder to the prime minister and members of the government.”
“A grave is not a privilege, but a basic duty of the state to its citizens and fighters.”
“In Israel, no one is left behind.”
