Why Israel Still Searches for Captured Soldiers Decades Later

For decades, Israel has maintained a clear principle in its military and political doctrine: soldiers captured or missing in conflict are not forgotten.

The policy—often summarized by the idea that no soldier should be left behind—has shaped intelligence operations, negotiations, and high-profile prisoner exchanges throughout Israel’s history.

Several cases illustrate how this approach has played out over time. One of the most prominent is Ron Arad, an Israeli air force navigator captured in Lebanon in 1986 after his aircraft went down during a mission. Despite the passage of nearly four decades, Israeli authorities have continued efforts to uncover information about his fate.

Another example is Eli Cohen, an Israeli intelligence operative who infiltrated high levels of the Syrian government before being executed in Damascus in 1965. Since then, Israel has repeatedly requested the return of his remains, and his story remains widely recognized in Israeli public life.

The doctrine has also influenced major prisoner exchanges. In 2011, Israel released more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in a deal to secure the return of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who had been held in Gaza for five years.

Together, these cases highlight how the issue of captured or missing soldiers remains a significant element of Israel’s military policy and national discourse.