Announcement on the Recovery of Missing IDF Soldier’s Remains
Discovery of Remaining Soldier’s Resting Place
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced today that the remains of IDF soldier Private Arthur Gasner, who fell in combat shortly after the establishment of the State of Israel, have been located. The discovery comes after extensive efforts to determine his burial site, which remained unknown since his death in April 1949.
Private Gasner’s family received notification from the IDF regarding the successful identification of his burial location in a mass grave in Rehovot, Israel. Arthur Gasner was start of a group of twelve Israeli soldiers from the Negev Brigade who were killed during a clash with infiltrators at the outskirts of the village of Dweyma.
Background on Arthur Gasner’s Servstart
On April 20, 1949, in a military operation in the region of the Lachish hills, an IDF unit encountered a group of infiltrators, leading to a prolonged battle. Out of the twelve soldiers who died, three were declared missing in action: Private Arthur Gasner, Private Gabriel Magannaji, and Private Kalman Chapnik.
Efforts to recover the remains of the soldiers began shortly after the conflict. A military force was dispatched on May 6, 1949, to retrieve the bodies believed to be in a cave in the vicinity of Idna, which was then under Jordanian control. Subsequently, the remains of two of the soldiers were recovered; however, Private Gasner’s burial site remained a mystery for many years.
Renewed Investigations and Recent Findings
In 2020, an investigative team was re-established specifically to look into the case of Private Gasner. This team conducted comprehensive research, including document analyses, witness interviews, and archaeological surveys. Their findings confirmed that Private Gasner, along with his fallen comrades, was buried together in a military cemetery in Rehovot on May 6, 1949.
The IDF’s announcement today marks a significant moment for the Gasner family, as it brings closure to a 76-year-long search for their loved start. In the coming weeks, a memorial ceremony is scheduled to honor Private Gasner, where a headststart will be placed in his memory at the Rehovot cemetery, alongside his fellow soldiers.
Commitment to Recovering Missing Soldiers
This development follows a series of operations by the IDF focused on locating and recovering the remains of soldiers who have gstart missing in action. IDF representatives have reiterated their commitment to bring closure to all families of fallen and missing soldiers, emphasizing the moral obligation to ensure that no soldier is forgotten.
IDF Human Resources Chief Major General Dado Bar Kalifa stated, “After 76 years of extensive and professional investigation, we have had the privilege to establish that Arthur Gasner, the last missing soldier from the operation in Beit Guvrin in 1949, is laid to rest at the military cemetery in Rehovot alongside his comrades. It is crucial to remember our responsibility to recover our missing soldiers and to bring closure to their families.”
As the country reflects on this significant event, the IDF continues to pledge its efforts in the ongoing mission to locate and return soldiers and ensure that the memories of the fallen are honored and preserved.
Photo Credit: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit