The IDF announced today (Thursday) that, following an investigation lasting more than five years, it has located the burial site of IDF soldier Arthur Gassner z”l, who fell in battle in 1949. Until now, his place of burial had remained unknown. Gassner will soon be buried at the Rehovot Military Cemetery, alongside two of his fellow soldiers.
The investigation, which began in 2020, involved an extensive range of activities: document analysis, interviews with witnesses, soil studies, and archaeological surveys. These efforts led to the conclusion that the three missing soldiers were buried together on May 6, 1949, in the Rehovot cemetery.
The fierce battle in which the soldiers fell
On April 20, 1949, during a planned operation by the IDF’s Negev Brigade in the Lachish-Amatzia hills, a platoon from Battalion 8 encountered a group of infiltrators. A prolonged and intense firefight ensued, during which twelve IDF soldiers were killed. Three of them were declared missing: Private Arthur Gassner z”l, Private Gabriel Magnagi z”l, and Private Kalman Chepnik z”l.
After the battle, it became known that the bodies of the fallen had been taken by residents of the village of Idna, which was then under Jordanian control. On May 6, 1949, an IDF force launched an operation to recover the bodies from the village. Several months later, two of the soldiers were identified, but Gassner remained listed as missing.
Bringing closure to the family
Last week, Gassner’s family was informed of the conclusion of the investigation by Brigadier General Edna Ilia, the IDF’s Chief Personnel Officer and Head of the Casualties Division. Gassner’s niece received the news with deep emotion.
A formal ceremony will soon be held to place a memorial plaque bearing Arthur Gassner z”l’s name on the shared grave in Rehovot, where Gabriel Magnagi z”l and Kalman Chepnik z”l are also buried.
“The IDF does not rest on its laurels”
Major General Dado Bar Kalifa, Head of the IDF’s Manpower Directorate, commented on the discovery: “After 76 years and a thorough, professional investigation, we have had the privilege of determining that Arthur Gassner z”l, the last missing soldier from the 1949 Beit Guvrin operation, is buried at the Rehovot Military Cemetery alongside his comrades-in-arms Kalman Chepnik and Gabriel Magnagi, of blessed memory. We bear a supreme and moral obligation to bring back our captives and missing, and we will continue to do so.”
Even today, the IDF continues its efforts to locate captives and missing persons through the Missing Persons Unit, which has been operating in Gaza since October 7. A deep sense of duty and commitment to bereaved families continues to guide every operation and investigation in this field.
