Syria12 October, 20252 min read
Syria Prepares to Return Remains of Israeli Spy Eli Cohen After 60 Years
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Syria is reportedly preparing to return Eli Cohen's remains to Israel after 60 years. Eli Cohen was executed publicly in Damascus on May 18, 1965, and his burial site was concealed.
6 outlets told this the same way.
Outlets did split on Asad Al-Shaibani Meets Saddam Haftar in Benghazi Over Syrian Consulate And Missing Syrians →
Return of Israeli Spy Remains
Multiple outlets report that Syria may soon return the remains of Israeli spy Eli Cohen, who was executed in Damascus in 1965. This follows years of refusal by Syrian authorities to repatriate his body. The initial information was credited to the Saudi network Al-Hadath.
“The Saudi Al-Hadath channel reported that the remains of Israeli spy Eli Cohen, who was captured and executed in Syria in 1965, may soon be returned to Israel.”
Earlier this year, a covert Mossad operation transferred thousands of archival items related to Cohen from Syria to Israel. If confirmed, this development would mark a significant change after decades during which Syria kept Cohen’s burial site undisclosed despite international requests for his return.
Diplomatic Talks on Soldier Remains
Several reports place this development within a broader diplomatic context. RBC-Ukraine reports informal talks between Israel and Syria facilitated by the UAE. Syria has agreed to return Cohen’s remains along with those of three Israeli soldiers from the 1980s.
US envoy Tom Barrack says the sides are close to an agreement that could de-escalate tensions. JFeed characterizes the move as a possible diplomatic shift and humanitarian gesture.
Algemeiner adds that a Syrian helicopter delivered Cohen’s archive to Sweida on May 2 as a symbolic gesture from Assad’s government toward Israel, al-Julani, and the US. This unique framing is not echoed elsewhere.
Retrieval of Cohen's Archive
Several outlets report that Mossad has already retrieved a large archive of Cohen’s materials from Syria. Algemeiner and i24NEWS specify that 2,500 documents, photographs, and personal items were secretly transferred in a covert operation. Algemeiner adds that the archive had been guarded by Syrian security forces for decades.
“Earlier this year, a covert Mossad operation secretly transferred 2,500 documents, photographs, and personal belongings of Cohen from Syria to Israel.”
Algemeiner also reports that a Syrian helicopter delivered Cohen’s archive to Sweida on May 2. JFeed states that the process to recover and repatriate Cohen’s body involves a sensitive transport operation by a Syrian helicopter. These details suggest increased logistical activity around Cohen-related materials and possibly his remains.
Uncertainties Surrounding Cohen's Case
Background and uncertainties persist across accounts regarding Cohen's case. i24NEWS stresses that Cohen’s body was buried at an undisclosed location and repeatedly withheld despite international requests. JFeed notes that neither Israel nor Syria has officially confirmed the current reports of a pending return.
There are also biographical discrepancies across local Western outlets. Algemeiner says Cohen was from a Syrian Jewish family that emigrated to Latin America. RBC-Ukraine states he was born in Egypt in 1924.
All outlets agree he was executed in 1965 after infiltrating Syria. However, the exact timeline and terms of repatriation remain unconfirmed.