According to Israeli and International Red Cross Officials, Hizbullah’s decision to return remains of soldiers who were killed in the Second Lebanon War was unannounced and the terror organization acted unilaterally.

Government officials stress that despite the move, it does not signal progress regarding future prisoner exchanges between Israel and Hizbullah.

IDF officials report that 20 combatants were buried in part, confirming reports they were missing limbs. DNA samples were taken from each corpse and an itemized list was made stating exactly what body parts were missing from each of the 20. Israeli forensic experts report the actual identification process could take weeks.

Since 2005, the IDF has begun a DNA bank of new recruits and samples are recorded of every soldier on enlistment day, along with panoramic x-rays and other measures for future identification if chas v’sholom such a reality is necessary. That said, it is possible that some of the body parts are from IDF reservists and if this is the case, a positive match may not be possible.

Should positive matches be made, families will be given options, to have a modest ceremony and open the grave and insert the missing parts in the presence of the family; to have this done by the IDF Rabbinate without the family present; or have the parts interred separately in a military cemetery in a special section allocated for such an occurrence.

Included in the items returned to Israel were identity tags of chopper technician Sgt. Ron Moshiach, whose perished when a surface-to-air missile struck the chopper as they were transporting troops during the last days of the war, as well as a helmet and portions of uniforms.

Rivka, Ron’s mother stated that when she heard his identity tag was returned it threw her back to the war and the heavy emotions associated with it overcame her.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)