A memorial service was held this week on Mount Herzl for Zechariah Baumel, an IDF soldier who was killed in the Battle of Sultan Yacoub in Lebanon in 1982. The ceremony was attended by members of the Baumel family and by Brig. General Ohad Nejma.
The Baumel family prayed for the return of Zvika Feldman and Yehuda Katz, two other soldiers who went missing in the Battle of Sultan Yacoub.
"This year, for the first time, the soldiers of the Armored Corps have the honor to stand by you, in front of the memorial on the day of his memorial," Nejma said. "We remember and reminding Zechariah and his colleagues from the battle, who sacrificed themselves for the security of the State of Israel. In addition, we also pray that the day is close when we will also know what happened to Yehuda Katz and Zvi Feldman, who fought with Zecharia in the battle, and since that day they have been missing."
He said that the return of all captives and prisoners of war is a supreme value for the commanders of the Armored Corps.
"Zecharia, in my name and the names of the soldiers and commanders of the Armored Corps, I salute you. May your memory be for a blessing," he said.
The body of Zechariah Baumel was returned to Israel in April 2019. Russia was instrumental in securing his return. Zecharia's father, Yonah, passed away seven years before his sons' remains were returned.