Human bones found in Galilee: Missing soldier from '48?
Independence War veteran unearths remains near Malkia kibbutz memorial. IDF investigating whether bones are of soldier who fought on site in '48, declared missing
Human remains found last month in an Independence War battleground in the Upper Galilee were taken for examination by the IDF's missing persons unit, with the predominant theory being that these are the bones of one of six Oded Brigade soldiers, all missing since the battle over the Malkia kibbutz ridge in 1948.
The missing persons unit investigators believe identifying the remains may shed light on the fate of the other missing soldiers.
Related stories:
- Hashomer Hatzair marks 100 years
- 20 skulls found under London street
- 1,000-year-old hospital revealed in J'lem
Prior to the declaration of the State of Israel, Palmach forces were preparing for an invasion by the Lebanese army and the Arab Salvation Army, led by Fauzi al-Qawuqji, meant to cut off the Galilee Panhandle from the rest of the Jewish communities.
War memorial (Photo: Aviyahu Shapira)
On the ridge over the border which separated the British mandate over Palestine and the French mandate over Lebanon lay the Arab village of Bab al-Malika, which later became the Malkia kibbutz.
The Arab village was a strategic asset, due to its vicinity to a main road which starts in Tyre, Lebanon, passes through Bint Jbeil and enters into Israeli territory.
As the war progressed, Palmach forces were transferred south to conquer Ramle and Lod, and they were replaced by the Aleph Company, part of the 11th Battalion of the Oded Brigade – an infantry unit.
The company was composed out of Hagana members from Haifa and area, numbering 80 soldiers, whose role was to secure the Israeli-held ridge.
On June 5, 1948, Lebanese army forces, bolstered by Syrian armored vehicles and Salvation Army troops attacked the Israeli soldiers, forcing their retreat to the nearby Ramot Naftali community.
In the battle nine Israelis were killed and six declared missing.
About two months ago a veteran of the Independence War, a former Palmach soldier, visited the Malkia war memorial, and unearthed a tunnel in which he found human bones.
He reported to the IDF's missing persons unit, which arrived at the site and dug up more remains. The findings were sent for an examination, the results of which may shed light on the fate of the battle's six missing soldiers.
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said in response: "The IDF is constantly at work to lay to rest those of its fallen whose burial place is unknown, and consider it a foremost moral value.
"Over the last few weeks unidentified bones were found near the Malkia kibbutz, and were transferred to investigators with the IDF's missing persons branch."
Aviyahu Shapira contributed to this report
- Receive Ynetnews updates
directly to your desktop
