IDF says all Lebanon war casualties buried in accordance with Jewish law
Photo: IDF
IDF: Nasrallah's words cynical, vicious
Army officials slam Hizbullah leader after Nasrallah says group holds body parts of IDF troops
Hassan Nasrallah's words regarding body parts of IDF soldiers allegedly held by Hizbullah are "cynical and vicious," the army said Saturday night in an unusual statement. Earlier in the day, Nasrallah said his group holds the heads of Israeli troops as well as a "nearly intact cadaver."
The sources said that Jewish tradition includes several regulations regarding burial, and that all of them were implemented in burying war casualties. However, the officials did not specify how this was done or whether body parts of Israeli troops were left behind in south Lebanon during or after the war.
Military officials refused to directly address Nasrallah's remarks but hinted that he did not refer to abducted IDF soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev. The sources also noted that all religious laws pertaining to Jewish burial were implemented with regards to the 119 IDF soldiers killed in the Second Lebanon War.
Hassan Speaks
Roee Nahmias and AFP
Hizbullah leader appears in public for first time in more than a year to attend Shiite religious event in Lebanese capital. In fiery speech he says his group has 'heads' and 'body parts' of Israeli soldiers, as well as 'nearly intact cadaver'
'Nasrallah violated Islamic values'
The sources noted that as this was a personal and sensitive matter, it was customary to refrain from providing further detail. However, they added that in some cases, bringing troops to burial required "intense work by members of the rabbinate."Responding to Nasrallah's latest message, the IDF said the Hizbullah leader was "crudely trampling over the most basic human code of human dignity and failing to honor international conventions dealing with such matters."
The IDF also stressed that Hizbullah was "violating values that are sanctified by all religions, including Islam." The army called for Nasrallah's "despicable conduct" to be condemned.
