Syrian bunker in Tel Hamra
צילום: מאור בוכניק
Authorities: Remains found in bunker likely belonged to Syrian soldier
Police, IDF say bones discovered in abandoned Syrian in Golan Heights most likely belonged to a Syrian soldier, not to Israeli
Police and IDF officials said that the body remains discovered inside an abandoned Syrian bunker near Tel Hamra in the Golan Heights on Wednesday most likely belonged to a Syrian soldier.
Officials expressed reservations regarding different reports suggesting the remains might belong to either MIA Israeli soldiers, Majdi Halabi who disappeared on duty in 2005 or Guy Hever who was last seen in 1997.
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"I was walking around and noticed a skull. I found it interesting, and the next day I returned and discovered more bones. They looked old," said Yossi Gariny, a farmer from kibbutz Amir located in the Galilee Panhandle.
Israeli authorities examine Syrian bunker (Photo: Maor Buchnik)
According to Kiryat Shmona Police Commander Yigal Hadad, the remains were found at "a Syrian post located in a mined and fenced area. Over the years, herd and cow breeders wandered the area."
Israel's Engineering Corps unit Yahalom, responsible for defusing bombs and landmines, and police bomb-disposal experts were called to examine the northern location. They were joined by police forensic experts, an officer from the missing persons' unit and Military Rabbinate officials.
The remains were taken out of the bunker and transferred to Abu Kabir Forensic Institute for a pathological examination. Authorities also uncovered old military equipment in the abandoned bunker, including an old gas mask.
On June 9, 1967, on the fourth day of the Six Day War, the IDF conquered Tel Hamra in an attempt to break the Syrian front. Ever since then the remains of Syrian soldiers are discovered in the Golan Heights.
Hassan, a cattle breeder from Majdal Shams, claimed this is old news. "We noticed the remains when we were walking around here about five years ago and we notified the police," he claimed.
Gilad Shefran from kibbutz Snir ruled out the possibility the remains belonged to an IDF soldier. "It's 99% not an Israeli soldier," he stated.
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