Following hours of the intensive nationwide search for soldier, Eliezer Ashkenazi (ז״ל), the IDF announced they’ve launched an investigation on his disappearance and subsequent death, adding a gag order has been placed on details surrounding his death.

By Raanan Ben Zur, Yoav Zitun

The body of an Israeli soldier who was missing for over 24 hours was found on Monday morning in central Israel, the army said.

“The soldier has been found without any sign of life in the center of the country,” said the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit in a statement, adding that his family has been informed.

“IDF’s Military Police Corps opened an investigation into the circumstances of the incident.”

Israeli police and the army earlier said they were searching for the 20-year-old Eliezer Ashkenazi, who left his home in the central city of Kfar Saba on Sunday morning and hasn’t been seen since. The police said he was carrying a weapon and a small bag, on his way to a military base in the Golan Heights. He never arrived on the base.

IDF soildiers – Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit

The soldier’s mother spoke with Ynet shortly before his body was found and admitted to feeling worried because her son left his military ID at home.

She said she hadn’t noticed anything unusual in her son’s behavior in recent days and described him as a “nice guy” who has never went missing. “He’s an athlete, he’s social … not a smoker, not a drinker … he’s a good boy.”

“Throughout the night we’ve conducted a search for the soldier from Kfar Saba, who left his home at 5:30 am and unusually, did not arrive at the base,” said Mike Ben Yaakov, a commander of police’s canine unit.

Israeli Border Police officer and one of her police dogs. – Photo: Israeli Border Police.

“He’s a good soldier, who never went missing … so far, there is no lifeline.”

View original Ynet publication at:
https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5614861,00.html