IDF: Body of soldier from Independence War uncovered in mass grave near Jerusalem

The military announces that it recently determined that a soldier killed in Israel’s War of Independence, who until now had been considered missing, was in fact buried in a mass grave in a kibbutz near Jerusalem.

Pvt. Yaakov Zarihan was killed in action on April 20, 1948, while participating in a convoy heading to Jerusalem as part of Operation Harel.

The convoy of some 300 vehicles and armored vehicles was bringing both supplies to the besieged city and troops to the area.

Zarihan was killed in battle near Shaar Hagai, along with 13 other members of the convoy. Following the battle, Zarihan was listed as a fallen soldier whose burial site was unknown.

“After years of intensive efforts during which information was collected to determine Yaakov’s fate, a special investigation team was established in 2024, carrying out numerous and varied investigative actions to locate the burial place of the late Yaakov Zarihan,” the IDF says.

The IDF said its investigation included “document analysis, witness interrogation, soil analysis and archaeological surveys.”

The investigation led to the conclusion that Zarihan was buried on April 22, 1948, in a mass grave at the Harel Brigade cemetery in Kibbutz Kiryat Anavim, along with seven other fallen soldiers.

Last night, Zarihan’s family, including his sisters, were updated on the military’s findings by Adjutant Corps Chief Brig. Gen. Edna Ilia.

The IDF said that in the near future, an official ceremony will be held to add a headstone with Zarihan’s name to the cemetery at Kiryat Anavim.