After 44 years, Israel retrieves remains of soldier killed in Lebanon: What to know
The Israeli military has recovered the remains of soldier Yehuda Katz, 44 years after he went missing during the 1982 First Lebanon War. The recovery follows years of uncertainty for the family and follows the recent recovery of another soldier's remains in a covert operation.
Why it matters
This closure provides resolution to a decades-old military mystery and highlights the ongoing efforts of the Israeli state to account for soldiers lost in past conflicts.
Long-missing Israeli soldier soldier Yehuda Katz is pictured in this undated photo. — Katz family عربي 简体中文 Español Israel recovered the remains of fallen soldier Yehuda Katz overnight Monday, 44 years after he was killed during the First Lebanon War , the military confirmed Tuesday.
With no proof of his death emerging over the years, his family had refused to accept the military’s assessment that Katz had been killed in battle. The military did not offer any details on the operation, including where it took place.
Background: Katz was one of three soldiers declared missing following the Battle of Sultan Yacoub in 1982 following the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. The remains of Zachary Baumel were recovered in 2019 with Russia's help, and Zvi Feldman's remains were recovered in 2025 in a covert Mossad operation.
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