Jerusalem, January 29, 2004
Bodies of three soldiers positively identified
(Communicated by the IDF Spokesman)
Definite identification of the bodies of three IDF soldiers Staff Sgt.
Binyamin Abraham, Staff Sgt. Adi Avitan and Staff Sgt. Omar Sawaid
The identification process of the bodies of Staff Sgt. Binyamin Abraham,
Staff Sgt. Adi Avitan and Staff Sgt. Omar Sawaed has just been completed in
Germany.
Chief Rabbi of the IDF, Brig. General Israel Weiss, has confirmed (and
approved with his signature) the definite identification of the bodies of
the three IDF soldiers who were kidnapped by the Hizbullah on October 7, 2000 at
Har Dov.
With the conclusion of the identification process, IDF representatives,
headed by Chief of the IDF Manpower Branch, Maj. General Gil Regev, Chief of
Ground Corps Commands, Maj. General Yiftah Ron Tal and Chief of Signals,
Electronics and Computers corps, Maj.General Udi Shani, visited the families
of the soldiers and notified them of the positive identification.
IDF soldiers and commanders extend their sympathy and support for the
Avitan, Abraham and Sawaid families.
Coffins of Staff Sgt. Binyamin Abraham, Staff Sgt. Adi Avitan and Staff Sgt.
Omar Sawaid to arrive in Israel
Today, Thursday, January 29, 2004, coffins of Staff Sgt. Binyamin Abraham,
Staff Sgt. Adi Avitan and Staff Sgt. Omar Sawaed, who were kidnapped Oct. 7
2000, as their patrol was ambushed by the Hizbullah in Har Dov, will arrive
during the evening hours in Israel.
The soldiers are returning in an IAF aircraft along with an IDF delegation
headed by Chief Military Rabbi, Brg. Gen. Israel Weiss.
Upon the arrival of the coffins, a military ceremony will take place in the
presence of their families and commanders.
The ceremony will be attended by President Moshe Katsav, Prime Minister
Ariel Sharon, Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz, Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin
and IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Moshe Ya'alon.