Netanyahu offered condolences to the family of Yehuda Katz: "The people of Israel are deeply moved by his return"

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived today, Wednesday, to offer condolences at the home of the family of Staff Sergeant Yehuda Yekutiel Katz, the last missing soldier from the Battle of Sultan Yacoub, whose remains were brought to Israel in a special operation by the IDF and the Mossad.

The Prime Minister told the family members that together with all the people of Israel, he is deeply moved by the return of Yehuda, and expressed sorrow that his parents, Sarah and Yosef, did not live to see this moment.

Family members told the Prime Minister about the inspiring character of Yehuda, who was a Torah scholar, a man of values, and a professional and dedicated soldier. Bringing him to Israel for a Jewish burial fulfilled the phrase he used to say: "A good question is better than a weak excuse."

Katz's return to Israel was made possible last week, 44 years after he fell in the Battle of Sultan Yacoub during the First Lebanon War. According to the report in "Israel Hayom", his remains were located as part of a complex operation led by the Intelligence Directorate (Aman) in a joint effort with the Mossad. After being brought to Israel, an identification process was conducted at the Military Rabbinate's Center for Identification of Fallen Soldiers, in cooperation with the Medical Corps and the Israel Police. The effort to locate him was based on intelligence gathered over more than four decades.

Katz was the last missing soldier from the Battle of Sultan Yacoub who had not yet been returned to Israel. His return completed the recovery of the three missing soldiers from the battle, after the remains of Zachary Baumel were returned to Israel in 2019 and the remains of Zvika Feldman in 2025. Last Friday, Katz was laid to rest on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, following a funeral procession that departed from the Kerem B'Yavneh Yeshiva, where he studied before leaving for the war.