The remains of a missing Israeli soldier, presumed killed during Israel's War of Independence, have been recovered nearly 78 years later, according to a report from the IDF released this week.
Pvt. Dov Permat was killed in battle in the Malkiya area in 1948, and until recently, his exact burial location was unknown to both his family and IDF officials.
In 2020, a special investigation team (TAHM) was formed after years of efforts to uncover the burial site of the late Permat. The investigation involved document analysis, witness interviews, soil analysis, and archaeological surveys. These efforts led to the conclusion that Private Permat was buried in a mass grave at Maoz Haim, alongside 16 other IDF martyrs from the 1948 battles in Malkiya.
This past week, his family, including Dov's late niece, received an update from Brigadier General Edna Iliyahu, Chief Human Resources Officer and Head of the Casualty Brigade, regarding the completion of the investigation and the resolution of the mystery surrounding his disappearance.
"For us, this is the good news of the Exodus from Egypt," his family shared.
Israel discovers remains of missing soldier over 70 years after his death
In the near future, a state military ceremony will be held to place a tombstone with his name at the military cemetery in Maoz Haim.
The recovery of Permat serves as encouragement to other Israeli families that their missing loved ones could still be found and laid to rest.
"The IDF and the Missing Persons Branch are actively investigating cases of missing persons and casualties whose burial locations have been unknown for many years," stated Brigadier General Edna Iliyahu.
"This is part of the IDF's moral imperative and obligation to ensure that our fallen soldiers are buried in the land of Israel. It is our duty to return those who fell for the country."