The search for Yehuda Katz, missing since the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yacoub, reflects Israel’s enduring commitment to its missing soldiers—and a deeply Jewish obligation never to leave one of our own behind.

Forty-four years is a long time.

It is long enough for governments to rise and fall, wars to fade into history books, children to become grandparents and young soldiers to become names on memorial walls.

But apparently it is not long enough for Israel to forget one of its sons.

This week came word of a covert Israeli operation connected to Yehuda Katz, the IDF tank soldier who disappeared during the Battle of Sultan Yacoub in Lebanon on June 11, 1982. Early reports differed over precisely what was recovered — The Jerusalem Post reported that remains had been located, while The Times of Israel reported that personal belongings believed to be Katz’s had been found and were being examined.

That distinction is obviously of enormous importance to the Katz family.

But there is another fact about which there is no uncertainty at all:

Israel is still looking for Yehuda Katz. After 44 years.

Katz disappeared together with Zachary Baumel and Zvi Feldman. Baumel’s remains were brought home in 2019. Feldman’s were recovered in 2025.........

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