In a secret and complex mission that lasted five months and took place deep within Syrian territory, the Mossad succeeded in recovering the body of Staff Sergeant Tzvi Feldman z”l, who fell in the Battle of Sultan Yacoub during the First Lebanon War in June 1982.
The operation was carried out dozens of kilometers from Israeli territory and involved significant risk to the Mossad agents, who operated within a highly secure and dangerous area.
A Life-Threatening Mission: Mossad Assets in Danger
According to journalist Doron Kadosh, Mossad teams operated in a location suspected to be Feldman’s burial site, contending with tight security specifically intended to prevent any excavation. Guards in the area were under explicit orders to prohibit digging.
Mossad agents managed to reach the site using deception and a sophisticated cover story that had been in place for many years, including during the rule of Bashar al-Assad.
Breakthrough Intelligence
In the past five months, following the fall of the Assad regime, a breakthrough allowed renewed access to the area. Mossad agents were able to collect a DNA sample that led to the identification of Feldman. Later, his flight suit and remains were also found and brought back to Israel.
The operatives faced difficult decisions — including whether to return to the dangerous site after the initial findings. Ultimately, they chose to complete the mission despite the high risk, in order to bring Feldman home after more than 43 years.
Hope for the Return of Another Missing Soldier
Alongside the return of Feldman’s remains, efforts continue to locate the remains of Yehuda Katz, who also went missing in that same battle. Defense officials are hopeful that, based on recent intelligence, Katz may also be brought home soon.
