Very few things fit the profile of a "sensitive humanitarian issue" justifying a secret cabinet meeting, signing ministers to non-disclosure agreements, and ordering the Israeli Military Censor to keep this specific information under wraps.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
The matter discussed by the government on Tuesday certainly meets those standards, hence the veil of secrecy is understandable. This is a matter that requires urgent and sensitive attention. Because it pertains to Syria, Israel is being aided by Russia – the real boss in Syria and patron of the country's president, Bashar Assad. This also explains the unusual succession of phone calls some 10 days ago between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, with their Russian counterparts.
The three were asked to use their sway in Damascus and to help resolve the humanitarian issue. As far as we know, the Russians responded positively to the request and ever since have been meditating silently between Jerusalem and Damascus. The purpose of the cabinet meeting on Tuesday – urgently convened under a cloud of secrecy – was apparently not just to update the ministers but to make decisions, the types of which are required by law for the government to make.
Russia has already played a role in resolving a previous humanitarian issue.
In March 2019, Moscow helped Israel secure the remains of Sgt. Zachary Baumel, an American-Israeli soldier who went missing during the First Lebanon War in 1982. His remains were found by Russian soldiers who excavated a cemetery near Damascus.
In early April 2019, after DNA tests were performed in Israel, Baumel's remains, along with other findings, were handed over to Israel.
In Israel, hopes that the Russians would also find the bodies of soldiers Zvi Feldman and Yehuda Katz never materialized. Around two weeks ago, Arab media reports said Russian soldiers had resumed excavation work at the cemetery, but it appears those reports were inaccurate. Senior Israeli officials on Tuesday expressed hope that "the current matter can be concluded quickly and optimally."
Israel is involved in resolving these humanitarian issues in other places beyond Syria. In the Gaza sector, too, the humanitarian file on IDF soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, and civilians Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, remains open and unresolved. In recent days, the Goldin and Shaul families have pressured the government to use the possible delivery of coronavirus vaccines to Gaza as a means to force Hamas to return the missing Israelis.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
