Israel Approves Adding 'Abducted' to Fallen Hostages' Gravestones

The Ministry of Defense has proposed amendments to military cemetery regulations to allow families of fallen soldiers and hostages to engrave the word "abducted" on gravestones, alongside the date of abduction where applicable. According to draft regulations published on Monday, families of fallen troops whose bodies were initially held captive can request the modification. ### New Gravestone Guidelines

The proposed amendment distinguishes between two scenarios. When the date of abduction coincides with the date of death, the word "abducted" will be added to the description of the circumstances of death. When the abduction occurred on a different date, both the date of abduction and the circumstances of death may be engraved.

"The amendment follows requests raised by bereaved families whose loved ones were abducted and subsequently killed in captivity, requesting that this fact be reflected on the standardized military gravestone," the Ministry of Defense stated.

Approval Process

The Public Council for the Commemoration of the Soldier recommended the change by a majority vote, and Defense Minister Israel Katz approved the recommendation. The new rules require final approval from the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee before taking effect.