A comprehensive investigation, spanning about 15 years, led to an official determination of the burial place of Private Yaakov Zarihan, one of the convoys killed in Operation Harel during the War of Independence.
According to the findings of the investigation, Yaakov Zarihan was buried in a mass grave located in the 'Harel' brigade cemetery in Kibbutz Kiryat Enavim, alongside seven other IDF martyrs who fought in the operation's convoys.
According to the IDF statement, "Private Yaakov Zarihan, 14th, fell in the supply convoys to besieged Jerusalem during Operation Harel in 1948 and his burial place is unknown. After an intensive investigation led by the branch for locating missing persons in the IDF Casualty Brigade, which lasted about 15 years, his burial place was located.".
Yaakov the Elder immigrated to Israel as part of the "Habonim" movement from Casablanca, Morocco, in December 1947 on the "Haporzim" immigration ship. He was assigned to the "Hasna" training at Kibbutz Ramat HaKovesh, which was intended to immigrate to Kibbutz Bror Chayil.
Yaakov enlisted in the Transportation Service on April 12, 1948, and was assigned as an operational driver to the 'Etzioni' Brigade.
As part of Operation Harel, he participated in a convoy that arrived in Jerusalem on April 20, 1948, numbering approximately 300 vehicles and armored personnel carriers.
Yaakov was killed in battle in the Sha'ar Hagai area along with 13 other members of his convoy and was buried on April 22 in the military cemetery in Kibbutz Kiryat Enavim.
After years of strenuous work in which information was collected to clarify Yaakov's fate, a special investigation team (SIT) was established in 2024, which carried out many and varied investigative actions to locate his burial place.
The investigation included locating and analyzing documents, questioning witnesses, conducting soil analyses, and conducting archaeological surveys. All of this led to the conclusion that Zarihan, the 14th, was buried in the brigade cemetery in Kiryat Enavim along with 7 other IDF martyrs.
His family members, including Yaakov Zarihan's sisters, received an update last night from the Chief Human Resources Officer and Head of the Casualty Brigade, Brigadier General Edna Ilya, on the completion of the investigation and the unraveling of the mystery of his disappearance.
In the near future, the circle will close after 78 years, and a state military ceremony will be held to add a tombstone in the name of Yaakov Zarihan, the 14th, in the cemetery at Kibbutz Kiryat Enavim.
""The Missing Persons Locating Unit is working and continuing its efforts to locate IDF fallen soldiers whose burial places are unknown, with a deep sense of commitment to all bereaved families. Even these days, the IDF continues to act with a moral and ethical commitment to the return of the missing and fallen," the IDF said.
Chief Human Resources Officer and Casualty Officer Brigadier General Edna Ilya: "Following a comprehensive investigation, today an emotional closing of the circle took place. We informed the family of the late Yaakov Zrihan of the findings of the investigation and the finding of their loved one who fell in battle 78 years ago. It is our privilege to continue to act out of a deep moral obligation to bring comfort and accompany the bereaved families.".
The late Yaakov's sister, Yvonne Cohen: "For me, finding his burial place means the world to me. I will call my sons so they can say Kaddish for the first time at his grave.".
